Berkeley Councilmember Lori Droste Won’t Seek Third Term

BERKELEY, CA — Berkeley Councilmember Lori Droste won’t seek a third term.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime,” the District 8 councilmember wrote in a Twitter post that included an official statement.

Droste’s statement cited personal reasons for her decision.

“After a lot of deliberation, I have decided to make this term my last as Councilmember for District 8 in order to spend more time with my family,” Droste said.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve you and our city for the past seven-and-a-half years. I have taken my role with the utmost gravity and am deeply grateful you entrusted me to represent you.”

Droste did not rule out a return to public life, and said she’ll continue to be a voice in the East Bay city that wields outsized influence in public discourse.

Her announcement was first reported by Berkeleyside.

“Berkeley has a history of lighting the way forward for cities across the country. I look forward to continuing to advocate for a Berkeley that is effective, quirky, and inclusive, because there is still so much to do. But in the meantime, my family needs to spend more time together.”