Barbara Lee Secures Victory in Competitive Special Election for Oakland Mayor
Barbara Lee, the former U.S. representative, has secured a slim victory with 50.06 percent of the votes, as reported by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has emerged victorious in the special election for mayor of Oakland, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, following the recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao, who faced federal indictment for alleged bribery.
“I accept your choice with a profound sense of responsibility, humility, and love,” Lee, a Democrat, expressed in a statement on her campaign website.
“Oakland is a city marked by division, and I stepped up to run in order to unite our community—so that I can represent every voter and we can all collaborate as One Oakland to tackle our most urgent issues,” she remarked.
Lee acknowledged a coalition of faith groups, labor, and businesses for her success, promising to lead with transparency, integrity, and accountability.
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“I am committed to the hard work and difficult decisions ahead, recognizing that we will all face these challenges together,” she noted. “Despite the numerous challenges, the potential is equally significant.”
“We garnered the backing of nearly half the voters, even while political insiders and labor unions invested heavily, disseminated misinformation, and rallied against our initiatives and your aspirations for the city,” Taylor stated.
“I hope that Mayor-Elect Lee adheres to her promise of unifying Oakland by genuinely engaging with the … Oaklanders who supported me and seek practical, results-driven leadership,” he expressed.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Lee served as a U.S. representative from 1998 until 2025. She also held positions in both chambers of the California State Legislature from 1990 to 1998. During her time as a student at Mills College, which merged with Northeastern University in 2022, she was involved with the Black Panther Party.
In Congress, she led the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus and was one of the founders of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.
Notably, during the lead-up to the Iraq War, Lee was the sole congressional member to vote against authorizing military action following the September 11 attacks.
Lee’s campaign focused on enhancing public safety, addressing homelessness, ensuring accountability, and combating corruption.
