Alex Lee (politician)

Tenure

In June 2019, Lee announced he would run to succeed Chu in the 25th district upon Chu's retirement from the State Assembly.^[15][16] He ran as a democratic socialist and was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America.^[17] In March 2020, Lee finished second in a field of nine candidates in the nonpartisan blanket primary; he split the vote with seven other Democrats and finished behind Republican Bob Brunton.^[18] Lee defeated Brunton in the general election.^[19]

Lee was sworn into the State Assembly on December 7, 2020. Taking office at age 25, he was the Assembly's youngest member, the first born in the 1990s, and the first openly bisexual member.^[12][8]

On his first day in office, Lee introduced a bill that would ban corporate donations to political candidates.^[20] Lee has since introduced legislation in favor of increasing social housing in California.^[2][21][22] Lee has expressed support for a land-value tax as a potential way to increase housing supply and reduce inequality.^[1] YIMBY Action, a pro-housing advocacy group, described Lee "as a strong supporter of every major pro-housing bill."^[23] He has also secured $2.5 million in funding for bicycle infrastructure and services for unhoused people in Milpitas.^[24]

In 2022, Lee was redrawn into the 24th district.^[25] He placed first in the nonpartisan blanket primary ahead of Brunton, Chu, and two other Democrats, and defeated Brunton in a rematch in the general election.^[26] He was sworn into his second term on December 5, 2022.

Lee is the chair of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.^[27]