Akilah Faizah Weber (born July 2, 1978) is an American politician and physician serving as a member of the California State Senate since 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 39th district, which includes parts of central San Diego as well as all of La Mesa, El Cajon, and Lemon Grove. She previously served in the California State Assembly from 2021 to 2024 as a representative of the 79th district. She is the daughter of California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, whom she succeeded in the Assembly after winning a special election in 2021.
Akilah Weber | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 39th district | |
| Assumed office December 2, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Toni Atkins |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 79th district | |
| In office April 19, 2021 – November 30, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Shirley Weber |
| Succeeded by | LaShae Sharp-Collins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Akilah Faizah Weber July 2, 1978 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dennis Gakunga |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
|
| Education | Xavier University of Louisiana (BS) University of Rochester (MD) |
Early life and education
editWeber was born and raised in Oak Park, San Diego. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Rochester Medical Center.[1]
Career
editAfter graduating from medical school, Weber completed a residency at the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County and a pediatric and adolescent gynecology fellowship at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Weber is an OBGYN at Rady Children's Hospital.[2]
In 2018, Weber was elected to the La Mesa City Council.[3][4]
Weber was elected to the Assembly in a special election on April 6, 2021, to fill the vacancy of her mother, Shirley Weber, who resigned to become the Secretary of State of California. She was subsequently sworn in on April 19, 2021.[5]
Electoral history
edit2022
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Akilah Weber (incumbent) | 42,857 | 64.3 | |
| Republican | Corbin Sabol | 16,651 | 25.0 | |
| Republican | John Moore | 7,159 | 10.7 | |
| Total votes | 66,667 | 100% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Akilah Weber (incumbent) | 67,674 | 63.9 | |
| Republican | Corbin Sabol | 38,290 | 36.1 | |
| Total votes | 105,964 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
edit- ^ "Courage California Voter Guide". progressivevotersguide.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Akilah Weber, M.D." www.rchsd.org. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Biography | Official Website - Dr. Akilah Weber representing the 79th California Assembly District". a79.asmdc.org. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "La Mesa City Council says goodbye to Akilah Weber". San Diego Union-Tribune. April 18, 2021. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Daughter Akilah Weber Succeeds California Elections Chief Shirley Weber in Legislature". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Primary Election - Statement of the Vote, June 7, 2022" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "General Election - Statement of the Vote, November 8, 2022 - State Assembly" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.