Loren Taylor congratulates Barbara Lee in Oakland's mayoral race

OAKLAND, Calif. - The special election for Oakland mayor saw a dramatic swing from former city councilman Loren Taylor to former Congresswoman Barbara Lee in the lead Friday. 

A dramatic turn

Taylor said he called Lee to congratulate her on becoming the next Mayor of Oakland Saturday morning.

His statement read in part: 

"While the outcome was not what we worked for and hoped for, I am incredibly proud of the race we ran. Our campaign started as the underdog—most didn’t expect us to come this far or make it this close. We gained the support of nearly half the voting population despite having political insiders and labor unions spend heavily, spread lies, and rally against our efforts, and your hopes for the city. Thanks to the heart, grit, and vision of our fearless team and supporters, we built a movement that resonated across Oakland, echoing the national dialogue about the waning relevance of a Democratic Party that puts old-guard politics over improving the lives of everyday people. I pray that Mayor-Elect Lee fulfills her commitment to unify Oakland by authentically engaging the 47% of Oaklanders who voted for me and who want pragmatic results-driven leadership." 

Lee's response

Lee provided a statement of her own about Taylor's concession, saying in part:

"This morning, Loren Taylor called me to concede the race. While I believe strongly in respecting the democratic voting process and ballots will continue to be counted through Tuesday, the results are clear that the people of Oakland have elected me as your next Mayor. Thank you, Oakland! I accept your choice with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and love. Oakland is a deeply divided City; I answered the call to run to unite our community, so that I can represent every voter, and we can all work together as One Oakland to solve our most pressing problems. For the past 100 days—as I have for the past 30 years—I worked hard every day to continue to earn your trust, your respect, and your vote. I couldn’t be more proud of the margin of our collective win and our amazing coalition."

Voter reaction 

What they're saying:

The closely-watched contest comes months after the recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was indicted on federal bribery and conspiracy charges, and has sparked mixed voter reactions across the city.

Lee, 78, a progressive with nearly three decades of experience representing Oakland in Congress, said she entered the race to unite what she described as a deeply divided city.

"I think she's amazing, she's a social worker, I'm a social worker as well," said Oakland resident Marielle Ramsay. "She's done a lot for Oakland as a representative and I think she'll bring a lot of influence and investment into Oakland."

Taylor, 47, who lost to Thao by just 677 votes in 2022, said Oakland needs a pragmatic leader focused on tangible solutions. His campaign centered on what he called a "broken" Oakland, with a call for results-driven leadership.

"I was hoping for Loren Taylor. I think he would offer more stability and consistency," said voter Eric Strelneck. "His familiarity with Oakland, and how he focused on what he was trying to do, setting up a plan and detailing a plan for what he wanted to do as far as actual steps."

Roughly 38% of registered voters cast ballots in the special election, a turnout that some residents said falls short, given the race’s significance.

"It's very disappointing, especially given how much action is happening at the national level," said Chris Greacen, an Oakland resident. "We need to be engaged in local politics and national politics and there are no easy ways out. You have to be engaged."

Several voters also voiced frustration with Oakland’s ranked choice voting system, used to determine the final outcome.

"I think in a democracy you should vote for who you want to vote for and that vote should be counted and that's it," said Strelneck.

Lee will serve the remainder of Thao’s term until another election in November 2026. 

Lee takes over a city with significant budget problems and challenges reigning in crime. 

Mayoral debate

The backstory:

During a debate hosted by KTVU, both candidates acknowledged the deep-rooted issues that have plagued the Bay Area’s third-largest city. 

The former congresswoman said her plan to address the city's budget deficit includes an audit, to focus on bringing in revenue and taking a deeper look at the city's spending. 

"We need an audit that's going to tell the taxpayers in this city where the waste, fraud and abuse is in our city," Lee said.

She also said she intends to look at the efficiencies of city departments, and see "where there's fluff and where there's waste." 

SEE ALSO: Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins fires more top staff ahead of special election

On crime, Lee said it's time to look at the policing in Oakland. 

"We need to come up with a framework that allows for those who are coming into Oakland to know that there's a consequence for doing what they're doing and that's extremely important," the former congresswoman said. 

She’s also expressed prioritizing getting guns off the streets by expanding gun buyback programs, increasing work with violence interrupters and continuing to fund proven strategies like the Oakland Ceasefire Strategy, which was brought back by Mayor Sheng Thao. 

"We need more crime prevention efforts taking place here in Oakland and as mayor, I would work hard to make sure we'd increase the budget for crime prevention, getting guns off the streets," Lee said. 

She won the endorsements of the Oakland Firefighters, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte and local labor groups including the Alameda Labor Council and the California Nurses Association.

Lee's campaign

Lee announced her candidacy in January, after being encouraged by supporters, including a list of Oakland business and city leaders. Her run for mayor also followed her election loss last year in the U.S. Senate primary, as she sought to fill the seat vacated by the late Dianne Feinstein, a seat that was later won by Adam Schiff (D-California).  

In Oakland, Lee ran a campaign that highlighted her experience and track record and promoted a message of unity.

"We must not be a city divided, but a community united. I'll bring people together—such as Labor and Business—and work to solve the toughest challenges facing Oakland," her campaign page said.  

Lee’s political career

Before being elected to Congress in 1998, Lee served the California Assembly for three terms starting in 1991.

In 1997, she became the first Black woman to represent Northern California in the state Senate. 

Earlier in her political life, Lee worked as an intern for the late Congressman Ron Dellums, whose footsteps she continued to follow. After leaving Washington, Dellums also returned to local politics, serving as Oakland’s mayor from 2007-2011.

On November 5, in a historic move, Oakland residents voted to recall Sheng Thao from office less than two years into her four-year term. Thao is believed to be the first mayor to be recalled in the city’s history. 

The efforts to oust her from office came amid high crime rates in the city and as an investigation into alleged political corruption unfolded.

The FBI raided her home in June 2024. Then in January, after being ousted from office, the embattled Thao was at the center of a federal indictment related to an FBI bribery case.

Thao has consistently maintained her innocence.

3rd mayor since recall 

Since Thao's ousting from office on Dec. 17, Oakland will have had three different mayors. 

Then-Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas initially took over the position until she assumed her new role on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in January.

Next in line to head the city was newly appointed City Council President Kevin Jenkins who has served as interim mayor.

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