Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee has taken a significant lead in the race to become Oakland’s next mayor, according to the latest vote counts released on Friday evening. With 53% of the vote, Lee surpassed her main opponent, Loren Taylor, who garnered 47%. This lead was so substantial that the San Francisco Chronicle has already declared Lee the winner, stating she will be Oakland’s next mayor.
Oakland, a city with a population of approximately 436,000, utilizes ranked-choice voting. This system allows voters to rank candidates by preference, which can make the counting process lengthy. Alameda County election officials have indicated that it may take weeks to finalize the vote tally from this special election.
Although Lee’s campaign refrained from officially declaring victory, they expressed optimism about the results. Taylor, who previously served on the City Council, was not available for comment.
If these results hold, Lee, who is 78 years old, will replace Sheng Thao, the mayor who was ousted last November amid widespread dissatisfaction with crime and homelessness in the city. Thao faced criticism for mismanaging the city’s finances, which contributed to a significant budget shortfall. She was also embroiled in a corruption investigation that led to her recall.
Lee’s decision to run for mayor came after she lost a Senate bid in the previous year. Following Thao’s removal, various groups encouraged her to enter the race to help stabilize the city.
The election saw nine candidates, but Taylor emerged as Lee’s primary challenger. He positioned himself as a candidate with practical experience who could bring needed changes to a city he described as “broken.” Taylor received financial support from tech and business leaders, who contributed significantly to his campaign.
In contrast, Lee campaigned on her decades of political experience. She highlighted her achievements in Congress, where she fought for issues like anti-war policies and social justice. Her platform included promises to improve safety, address homelessness, and enhance government transparency.
As the community awaits the final results, Lee’s supporters are hopeful that her leadership can unite the city and address the pressing challenges it faces.