The East Palo Alto City Council meets on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, to discuss appointment of the next mayor. From left are councilmembers Ruben Abrica, Webster Lincoln, outgoing Mayor Martha Barragan, outgoing Vice Mayor Mark Dinan and Carlos Romero. (Video framegrab via City of East Palo Alto)
In a reorganization ceremony this week, the East Palo Alto City Council voted to appoint Webster Lincoln as mayor and Ruben Abrica as vice mayor, bypassing the council’s typical process of elevating the vice mayor to be the next mayor.
The council’s nominations and votes came after members of the public spoke on their preferences, a process that the council later said was not typical for reorganizations.
Incoming East Palo Alto Mayor Webster Lincoln, left, and Vice Mayor Ruben Abrica will serve in their positions through December 2026. (Bay City News file photos)
“I think there was a miscommunication between the clerk and the mayor, but typically, we start with a nomination process and have public comment following that,” said outgoing Mayor Martha Barragan.
Most public commenters expressed support for outgoing Vice Mayor Mark Dinan to become mayor, and Lincoln to become vice mayor. In past reorganizations, the City Council has typically elevated the outgoing vice mayor to the position of mayor.
In East Palo Alto, the mayor is a ceremonial position in charge of leading council meetings and helping shape agendas. It is mostly a symbolic position, with the mayor acting as a primary spokesperson for the city.
Social media post creates controversy
Barragan nominated Dinan for mayor. But during discussion, the majority of the council disagreed.
“Mr. Dinan has made racist comments, and his supporters and facilitators, they dance around the issue,” Abrica said at the meeting.
Abrica was likely referring to comments that Dinan has made on social media.
On April 16, Dinan made a post to a Facebook group, “East Palo Alto Neighbors,” which he moderates. In the post, Dinan recounted a City Council meeting where Abrica and councilmember Carlos Romero tried to debate Barragan on an item.
Members of the public comment about the mayoral selection process prior to the East Palo Alto City Council’s vote on leadership transition on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Video framegrab via City of East Palo Alto)
In referencing Abrica and Romero’s attempts to argue, Dinan wrote “Sometimes you just want to walk past snarling dogs instead of trying to play with them.”
Abrica viewed “snarling dogs” as a racist term. Abrica and Romero are both Latino.
Dinan denied the accusation that he is racist and apologized for comments he has made on social media.
“When I ran for City Council, I knew that the first move was going to be to call me, a white guy in East Palo Alto, a racist,” Dinan said at the meeting. “If there were people who were offended by things I’ve said online, I do apologize. Things can be taken out of context online.”
Dinan reminded the council that it is typical for the outgoing vice mayor to become mayor. He also suggested that Lincoln should be selected as vice mayor.
“It is tradition for vice mayor to move on to mayor,” Dinan said. “I think it makes sense for him to be vice mayor, myself to be mayor, and for us to continue to work together and move the city forward.”
Dinan stands alone
When it came to a vote regarding Dinan’s nomination for mayor, Dinan was the only councilmember to vote for himself. Romero and Abrica voted no, while Barragan and Lincoln abstained.
Outgoing Mayor Martha Barragan receives a plaque in honor of her service during the East Palo Alto City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Video framegrab via City of East Palo Alto)
Dinan then nominated Lincoln to be mayor, which the council unanimously supported. Abrica was chosen to be vice mayor.
Members of the public congratulated the outgoing mayor and vice mayor and urged the council members to move past their personal differences.
“We’re trying to start a new era, and we cannot start it with anger, whining, or accusations,” said Donna Rutherford, a former mayor of East Palo Alto. “We cannot start off on the right foot this way. We’re not going to agree on everything, but we need to work for the betterment of this community.”
Dinan thanked Barragan for her service as mayor and reflected on his time as vice mayor.
“Thank you for allowing me to serve as vice mayor this year under Martha Barragan. It was a very good experience, and I think we got a lot done,” Dinan said. “We truly appreciate the incredible commitment you’ve shown to this council.”
Alise Maripuu is an intern at BCN with a focus on covering the Peninsula. Originally from San Carlos, Alise discovered her passion for journalism after studying abroad in Thailand during her senior year attending UC Santa Cruz. Her experience in Thailand taught her the consequences for democracy when living in a society with strict laws against free speech. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history, Alise took courses in journalism at Skyline Community College to learn how to write for news. As the Chief Copy Editor on Skyline’s student-run newspaper for the 2023-24 school year, Alise gained editing and managing experience leading a team of reporters. She covered hyperlocal stories affecting her campus such as the rise in food and housing insecurity. Alise wants to focus on data journalism.
East Palo Alto City Council breaks tradition, elevates Webster Lincoln to mayor’s chair
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In a reorganization ceremony this week, the East Palo Alto City Council voted to appoint Webster Lincoln as mayor and Ruben Abrica as vice mayor, bypassing the council’s typical process of elevating the vice mayor to be the next mayor.
The council’s nominations and votes came after members of the public spoke on their preferences, a process that the council later said was not typical for reorganizations.
“I think there was a miscommunication between the clerk and the mayor, but typically, we start with a nomination process and have public comment following that,” said outgoing Mayor Martha Barragan.
Most public commenters expressed support for outgoing Vice Mayor Mark Dinan to become mayor, and Lincoln to become vice mayor. In past reorganizations, the City Council has typically elevated the outgoing vice mayor to the position of mayor.
In East Palo Alto, the mayor is a ceremonial position in charge of leading council meetings and helping shape agendas. It is mostly a symbolic position, with the mayor acting as a primary spokesperson for the city.
Social media post creates controversy
Barragan nominated Dinan for mayor. But during discussion, the majority of the council disagreed.
“Mr. Dinan has made racist comments, and his supporters and facilitators, they dance around the issue,” Abrica said at the meeting.
Abrica was likely referring to comments that Dinan has made on social media.
On April 16, Dinan made a post to a Facebook group, “East Palo Alto Neighbors,” which he moderates. In the post, Dinan recounted a City Council meeting where Abrica and councilmember Carlos Romero tried to debate Barragan on an item.
In referencing Abrica and Romero’s attempts to argue, Dinan wrote “Sometimes you just want to walk past snarling dogs instead of trying to play with them.”
Abrica viewed “snarling dogs” as a racist term. Abrica and Romero are both Latino.
Dinan denied the accusation that he is racist and apologized for comments he has made on social media.
“When I ran for City Council, I knew that the first move was going to be to call me, a white guy in East Palo Alto, a racist,” Dinan said at the meeting. “If there were people who were offended by things I’ve said online, I do apologize. Things can be taken out of context online.”
Dinan reminded the council that it is typical for the outgoing vice mayor to become mayor. He also suggested that Lincoln should be selected as vice mayor.
“It is tradition for vice mayor to move on to mayor,” Dinan said. “I think it makes sense for him to be vice mayor, myself to be mayor, and for us to continue to work together and move the city forward.”
Dinan stands alone
When it came to a vote regarding Dinan’s nomination for mayor, Dinan was the only councilmember to vote for himself. Romero and Abrica voted no, while Barragan and Lincoln abstained.
Dinan then nominated Lincoln to be mayor, which the council unanimously supported. Abrica was chosen to be vice mayor.
Members of the public congratulated the outgoing mayor and vice mayor and urged the council members to move past their personal differences.
“We’re trying to start a new era, and we cannot start it with anger, whining, or accusations,” said Donna Rutherford, a former mayor of East Palo Alto. “We cannot start off on the right foot this way. We’re not going to agree on everything, but we need to work for the betterment of this community.”
Dinan thanked Barragan for her service as mayor and reflected on his time as vice mayor.
“Thank you for allowing me to serve as vice mayor this year under Martha Barragan. It was a very good experience, and I think we got a lot done,” Dinan said. “We truly appreciate the incredible commitment you’ve shown to this council.”
Alise Maripuu, Bay City News
Alise Maripuu is an intern at BCN with a focus on covering the Peninsula. Originally from San Carlos, Alise discovered her passion for journalism after studying abroad in Thailand during her senior year attending UC Santa Cruz. Her experience in Thailand taught her the consequences for democracy when living in a society with strict laws against free speech. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history, Alise took courses in journalism at Skyline Community College to learn how to write for news. As the Chief Copy Editor on Skyline’s student-run newspaper for the 2023-24 school year, Alise gained editing and managing experience leading a team of reporters. She covered hyperlocal stories affecting her campus such as the rise in food and housing insecurity. Alise wants to focus on data journalism.
More by Alise Maripuu, Bay City News