Overview

• The special election was triggered by the November recall of Sheng Thao, who was later indicted on bribery and fraud charges in January 2025.
• Loren Taylor, a moderate and former city councilmember, leads progressive Barbara Lee after nine rounds of ranked-choice voting, securing 51.17% of the vote to Lee's 48.83%.
• The Alameda County Registrar of Voters has reported all precincts, but approximately 42,000 ballots, including mail-in and provisional votes, remain to be counted.
• Taylor campaigned on a platform focused on increasing police staffing and cutting taxes for small businesses, while Lee emphasized her decades of federal experience and progressive policies.
• The election continues a regional trend of voter shifts toward centrist candidates, reflecting frustration with crime, homelessness, and fiscal challenges in Bay Area cities.