The City of Davis announced that Will Arnold, councilmember for Council District 2, was sworn in as the City’s new mayor at the Jan. 3 meeting of the Davis City Council. Councilmember Josh Chapman, who represents Council District 5, was sworn in as the City’s vice mayor. 

In addition, the Council decided at this meeting that it would hold a special election on May 2, 2023, to fill the City Council District 3 seat vacancy created when former Mayor Lucas Frerichs was sworn in as a Yolo County Supervisor on the morning of Jan 3. The Council chose not to appoint an interim council member. 

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to become mayor of the community that raised me,” said Arnold. “It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of our community, and the generations to come, in this important new role.”

“As a Davis business owner, resident and parent, I am eager to work with my council colleagues, community partners and City staff to enhance our vibrant community,” said Chapman. “Over the past two years, we have made considerable progress in very important policy areas, and I look forward to continuing that work as the vice mayor of Davis. 

Mayor Arnold is a lifelong Davis resident and was first elected to the Davis City Council in June 2016 and was re-elected in November 2020. Arnold is currently employed as a public information officer for Caltrans. 

Vice Mayor Chapman was elected to the Davis City Council in November 2020. He owns Armadillo Music in downtown Davis, a family business that has been operating since 1996. Chapman previously served as president of the Davis Downtown Business Association Board of Directors and served on the Downtown Plan Advisory Committee. 

Press contact: Barbara Archer, [email protected], 530-400-3418