Fresh Perspectives
A YOUNG CO U N C I L M E M B E R I N S P I R E S C H A N G E I N
S A N PABLO, WEST COUNTY AND BEYOND
Age is just a number, sure, but
it’s also why we reached out
to Abel Pineda who, at just
26 years old in January 2019,
became the youngest city
council member to ever serve
the City of San Pablo.
“As a person who was born and
raised in San Pablo, I personally
care a lot about not just our
city’s history, but also where it’s
going,” he said. “I’m reinvesting
in the community that helped
make me who I am today.”
Even though he got the job at
a young age, Abel had quite a
bit of relevant experience with
local government by the time
he got elected. “I’ve been very
involved in the community
since I was a teenager,” he said.
“I had previous experience
working with elected leaders,
local leaders, and civic leaders.”
Abel spent four years as the
Principal Feld Representative
for State Assemblymember
Tony Thurmond (now State
62 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM DECEMBER 2019
Superintendent of Public
Instruction), and Abel currently
holds that same position with
State Assemblymember Rob
Bonta. So when Abel ran for
the city council appointment,
he already had a solid
foundation of experience in
dealing with the status quo.
Now, as an active member of
the San Pablo City Council, his
mission is clear: “I want to be
able to connect people to the
resources and opportunities that
they need to be successful here,
A
By Matt Larson