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Barbara Lee Elected Oakland Mayor Following Special Ranked-Choice Election

The former congresswoman defeated Loren Taylor, securing 52.7% of the vote, and will complete Sheng Thao’s term through November 2026.

Overview

  • Barbara Lee declared victory after her opponent Loren Taylor formally conceded the Oakland mayoral race on Saturday morning.
  • Lee won the special election triggered by the recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was ousted in November and later indicted on federal bribery charges.
  • The ranked-choice voting process concluded with Lee securing 52.7% of the vote to Taylor’s 47.3%, with a margin of nearly 5,000 votes.
  • Lee, a 27-year congressional veteran, campaigned on addressing Oakland’s challenges, including public safety, homelessness, and a significant budget deficit.
  • She will serve the remainder of Thao’s term, facing pressing issues such as restoring trust in city leadership and stabilizing municipal finances.