Akilah Weber Pierson

Akilah Faizah Weber Pierson’s career has included work at Rady Children’s Hospital, service on the La Mesa City Council and membership in both houses of the California Legislature. A physician and Democrat, she was elected to the City Council before serving in the Assembly from 2021 to 2024. Since 2024, she has represented Senate District 39, which includes parts of central San Diego and all of La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove. She entered the Assembly after winning the special election to fill the vacancy left by her mother, Shirley Weber. Her political record traces a path from local government to the Assembly and then the Senate.

THE JOB BEFORE THE JOB

Weber Pierson was born on July 2, 1978, and was born and raised in Oak Park, San Diego. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, then a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Her medical training continued with a residency at the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. She later completed a fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is an OBGYN at Rady Children’s Hospital.

Her professional record includes studies in biology, medical school, a residency and fellowship work in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Her listed political career begins with her election to the La Mesa City Council in 2018.

THE PATH TO SACRAMENTO

Weber Pierson was elected to the La Mesa City Council in 2018. Three years later, her mother, Shirley Weber, resigned from the California State Assembly to become California secretary of state. Weber Pierson won the April 6, 2021, special election to fill the vacancy and was sworn in on April 19.

She served in the Assembly from 2021 through 2024 as a representative of the 79th district. In 2024, she began serving in the California State Senate.

Her present constituency extends beyond La Mesa, where she first won elected office. Senate District 39 includes parts of central San Diego and all of La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove. The district includes part of San Diego, where she was raised, as well as La Mesa, where she served on the City Council.

WHAT TO KNOW

Weber Pierson’s professional record is in medicine, including pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Her political record begins with her 2018 election to municipal office, continues through a 2021 Assembly special election held after her mother’s resignation and reaches the Senate in 2024.

She previously represented the 79th district in the Assembly and now represents the 39th district in the Senate. Her current district includes parts of central San Diego as well as all of La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove.