Wilson, Lionel J. (Lionel Joseph), 1915-1998

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li> 06/05/1990 Oakland Mayor - Primary Lost 17.08% (-28.76%)</li>
<li> 04/16/1985 Oakland Mayor Won 59.87% (+27.39%)</li>
<li> 04/22/1981 Oakland Mayor Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li> 06/01/1977 Oakland Mayor Won 53.69% (+7.37%)</li>
</ul>
</p>

<p>Lionel Joseph Wilson (March 14, 1915 – January 23, 1998) was an American political figure and a member of the Democratic Party. He was the first black mayor of Oakland, California, serving three terms as mayor of Oakland from 1977 until 1991.</p>

<p>Born March 14, 1915, Wilson was the eldest of eight children of Louise Barrios and Julius Wilson in New Orleans, Louisiana. By 1920, the family had moved to Oakland, California, where his father worked as a plasterer in building construction. Wilson was educated in the public schools, and in 1932 graduated from McClymonds High School.</p>

<p>Wilson attended UC Berkeley, graduating with an A.B. in economics in 1939. During 1939 to 1943, he was a semi-professional baseball player, pitching for the Oakland Larks club as part of the short-lived West Coast Negro Baseball League. On January 4, 1943, during World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Sargeant. After his discharge, he continued his studies at University of California, Hastings College of the Law, receiving his LL.B. in 1949. In January 1950, he was admitted to the State Bar of California and began a private practice with George Vaughns.</p>