Draft:Lori Droste

Lori Droste is an American politician who served as a Berkeley City Councilmember from 2014 to 2022. When elected, Droste became the first LGBT woman to serve on the Berkeley City Council.

Early life and education
Droste grew up in Ohio, and taught high school and earned a master's degree in public policy before running for the Berkeley City Council.

Berkeley City Council
Droste was elected to represent District 8 on the Berkeley City Council in 2014, winning by 16 votes. District 8 encompasses the Elmwood neighborhood and much of southeast Berkeley. Droste was re-elected in 2018.

On the Berkeley City Council, Droste was a vocal advocate for new housing construction. Droste led the council in committing to end single-family zoning, which was first originated in Berkeley. Droste also introduced legislation to eliminate parking requirements in new construction, making Berkeley the first Bay Area to pursue the reform.

In 2020, Droste attracted national attention for her criticism of Disney CEO Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Company after a Berkeley elementary school in Droste's district was fined for hosting an unlicensed screening of The Lion King at a school fundraiser. Disney CEO Bob Iger apologized and committed to personally donating to the elementary school fundraiser.

In 2022, Droste announced that she would not be seeking re-election.

Personal life
Droste is openly gay. She and her wife live in Berkeley, California with their two children.