Lee Brand

Lee Brand
Born	Lee R. Brand 5 4, 1949
Birthplace	The Dalles, Oregon, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, author
Education	University of Southern California (MPA)
Children	4
Website	[leebrandauthor.com Official site]

Lee R. Brand (born April 5, 1949) is an American politician, businessman, and author who served as the 25th mayor of Fresno, California, from January 3, 2017, to January 5, 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Brand built a lengthy career in Fresno County government before ascending to the city's highest elected office. Born in The Dalles, Oregon, he moved to California's San Joaquin Valley and became deeply involved in local governance, serving on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for multiple terms. Brand succeeded Mayor Ashley Swearengin after winning the 2016 mayoral election, and upon his inauguration at the age of 67, he became the oldest person to assume the mayoralty of Fresno, surpassing the previous record held by Dr. Chester A. Rowell by three years and 21 days. He was succeeded in office by Jerry Dyer in January 2021. Beyond his political career, Brand has also pursued writing, maintaining an author website focused on personal and family topics.

Early Life

Lee R. Brand was born on April 5, 1949, in The Dalles, a city in north-central Oregon situated along the Columbia River. He later relocated to California, where he would establish his personal and professional life in the Fresno area.

Brand served in the California Air National Guard from 1967 to 1973, a period that coincided with the Vietnam War era. His military service began when he was approximately 18 years old and lasted six years. This period of service preceded his entry into both the business world and public life in Fresno County.

Brand has written about the complexities of family relationships, particularly the dynamics between fathers and sons. In an essay published by The Good Men Project, he explored the theme of paternal influence and the ways in which sons both emulate and diverge from their fathers' paths. Brand is the father of four children.

Education

Brand pursued his higher education through several California institutions. He attended Fresno City College, a community college in the State Center Community College District. He subsequently transferred to California State University, Fresno, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Brand continued his education at the University of Southern California, where he obtained a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. His graduate studies in public administration provided an academic foundation for his subsequent career in county and city government.

Career

Early Career and Business

Before entering elected office, Brand established himself as a businessman in the Fresno area. His background in business, combined with his graduate education in public administration from the University of Southern California, positioned him for a transition into local government service.

Fresno County Board of Supervisors

Brand served as a member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, representing a district within the county. He first ran for the Board of Supervisors in the March 2000 election cycle, presenting himself as a candidate with both business experience and a public administration background. His candidacy was profiled on the Smart Voter platform operated by the League of Women Voters, which documented his biographical details and qualifications for the county supervisor position.

During his tenure on the Board of Supervisors, Brand was involved in county governance decisions affecting Fresno County, one of the most populous and agriculturally productive counties in California. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors oversees a wide range of county services and departments, and Brand participated in decisions related to county budgets, land use, and public services during his time on the board.

His service on the Board of Supervisors gave Brand extensive experience in local government administration and policy, which he would later draw upon during his mayoral campaign and tenure. The role also raised his public profile within Fresno County's political landscape and allowed him to build relationships with community stakeholders, business leaders, and fellow elected officials across the region.

2016 Fresno Mayoral Election

Brand entered the 2016 race to succeed term-limited Mayor Ashley Swearengin, who had served as Fresno's mayor since 2009. The mayoral contest attracted significant attention in the city, which is the fifth-largest in California and the largest inland city in the state.

The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, as part of California's presidential primary election. The results of the primary were recorded by the Fresno County Clerk-Registrar of Voters. Brand advanced through the primary to the general election.

The general election was held on November 8, 2016. The Fresno Bee, the city's primary daily newspaper, covered the race extensively, reporting on the candidates' platforms, endorsements, and campaign strategies. Brand won the November 2016 general election to become the 25th mayor of Fresno.

Mayor of Fresno (2017–2021)

Lee Brand was inaugurated as the 25th mayor of Fresno on January 3, 2017, succeeding Ashley Swearengin. At the time of his inauguration, Brand was 67 years old, making him the oldest person to assume the office of mayor of Fresno. He surpassed the previous record held by Dr. Chester A. Rowell, who had held the distinction by a margin of three years and 21 days.

As mayor, Brand presided over the governance of Fresno, a city with a population of approximately half a million residents and the economic hub of California's agricultural Central Valley. The position of mayor of Fresno operates under a strong-mayor system, granting the officeholder executive authority over city departments and significant influence over budget priorities and municipal policy.

Brand served his full term as mayor, and his tenure concluded on January 5, 2021, when he was succeeded by Jerry Dyer, a former Fresno police chief who won the 2020 mayoral election.

Writing Career

Following his career in public office, Brand has pursued writing. He maintains an author website where he shares his work, including reflections on personal topics such as family dynamics and fatherhood. His writing on the relationship between fathers and sons was published by The Good Men Project, an online platform focused on discussions of modern masculinity and family life.

Personal Life

Brand was born in The Dalles, Oregon, and later settled in Fresno, California, where he raised his family and built his career. He is the father of four children. Brand served in the California Air National Guard from 1967 to 1973.

Brand is a member of the Republican Party, which informed his political career in Fresno County and the city of Fresno. Following the conclusion of his mayoral term in January 2021, Brand transitioned to private life and has focused on personal pursuits including writing.

Recognition

Upon his inauguration as the 25th mayor of Fresno on January 3, 2017, Brand achieved the distinction of becoming the oldest individual to assume the office of mayor of Fresno. At 67 years of age, he surpassed the previous record holder, Dr. Chester A. Rowell, by three years and 21 days. This distinction placed Brand in the historical record of the city's mayoral succession, which dates back to the 19th century.

Brand's election and service as mayor were documented by The Fresno Bee and other local media outlets, which covered his campaign, election, and tenure in office. His candidacy and biographical background were also recorded by the League of Women Voters' Smart Voter platform during his earlier campaigns for county office.