Barbara Lee Leads in Oakland Mayor's Contest, Holds Off on Claiming Win
Lee participated in a surprisingly close race to replace the recalled leader, Sheng Thao.
TroibNews 
OAKLAND, California — Former Rep. Barbara Lee emerged with a significant lead in the closely contested mayoral race in Oakland on Friday, though she refrained from declaring victory.
Former council member Loren Taylor initially took the lead on election night, but late-arriving ballots favored Lee, who described the updated results as “encouraging.”
As of Friday evening, Taylor had not conceded the race, and his campaign was unavailable for immediate comment following the latest vote update.
The special election, which pitted Lee against moderate candidate Taylor, marked the end of a tumultuous year in Oakland politics, stemming from the recall of former mayor Sheng Thao last November. Thao, elected just two years prior, was affected by an FBI investigation and faced challenges such as a significant business exodus, a large budget shortfall, and crime issues, which also led voters to recall the district attorney on the same day.
If Lee secures victory, she will encounter a daunting road ahead. Although crime rates have decreased, public sentiment toward the future of Oakland remains bleak, according to polls. The city is grappling with a short-term budget deficit and a long-term financial imbalance, likely necessitating difficult budget cuts that could provoke backlash from influential groups like the public sector unions that were instrumental in her campaign.
“I decided to run for Mayor knowing that Oakland is a deeply divided City — and I ran to unite our community,” she stated in a release on Friday.
When Lee entered the race after an unsuccessful Senate bid last year, her win seemed almost inevitable. She quickly garnered endorsements from unions, business leaders, former mayors, and figures from both sides of the recall, demonstrating the political strength she had built over years as a progressive leader in Congress.
However, as the race progressed, it became more competitive. Taylor responded to Lee’s focus on unity by adopting an outsider message, suggesting that her widespread establishment backing indicated she would continue the ineffective politics that had plagued Oakland. He surpassed Lee in fundraising and attracted support from affluent donors who had also engaged in the recalls.
These trends highlight a broader shift in Bay Area politics, where a new generation of candidates, often supported by wealthy donors, is challenging progressive governance in response to voter dissatisfaction with issues like homelessness and property crime.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Former council member Loren Taylor initially took the lead on election night, but late-arriving ballots favored Lee, who described the updated results as “encouraging.”
As of Friday evening, Taylor had not conceded the race, and his campaign was unavailable for immediate comment following the latest vote update.
The special election, which pitted Lee against moderate candidate Taylor, marked the end of a tumultuous year in Oakland politics, stemming from the recall of former mayor Sheng Thao last November. Thao, elected just two years prior, was affected by an FBI investigation and faced challenges such as a significant business exodus, a large budget shortfall, and crime issues, which also led voters to recall the district attorney on the same day.
If Lee secures victory, she will encounter a daunting road ahead. Although crime rates have decreased, public sentiment toward the future of Oakland remains bleak, according to polls. The city is grappling with a short-term budget deficit and a long-term financial imbalance, likely necessitating difficult budget cuts that could provoke backlash from influential groups like the public sector unions that were instrumental in her campaign.
“I decided to run for Mayor knowing that Oakland is a deeply divided City — and I ran to unite our community,” she stated in a release on Friday.
When Lee entered the race after an unsuccessful Senate bid last year, her win seemed almost inevitable. She quickly garnered endorsements from unions, business leaders, former mayors, and figures from both sides of the recall, demonstrating the political strength she had built over years as a progressive leader in Congress.
However, as the race progressed, it became more competitive. Taylor responded to Lee’s focus on unity by adopting an outsider message, suggesting that her widespread establishment backing indicated she would continue the ineffective politics that had plagued Oakland. He surpassed Lee in fundraising and attracted support from affluent donors who had also engaged in the recalls.
These trends highlight a broader shift in Bay Area politics, where a new generation of candidates, often supported by wealthy donors, is challenging progressive governance in response to voter dissatisfaction with issues like homelessness and property crime.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
