Barbara Lee Wins Tight Race for Oakland Mayor in Special Election

The former U.S. representative received a narrow majority of 50.06 percent of the vote, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) (L) speaks during a press conference in Washington on Nov. 19, 2019. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has won the special election for mayor of Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area to replace former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled by Oakland voters and indicted by federal authorities for alleged bribery offenses.

The former congresswoman received a narrow majority of 50.06 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results published on April 18 by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. Ballots continue to be counted, and results will be updated every Friday.

Lee’s main opponent, former councilman Loren Taylor, called Lee the morning of April 19 to concede the race, she said in a statement.

“I accept your choice with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and love,” Lee, a Democrat, said in a statement posted to her campaign website.

“Oakland is a deeply divided City, and 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,” she said.

Lee credited a coalition that includes faith, labor, and businesses for her victory. She pledged to govern with transparency, integrity, and accountability.

“I will do the hard work and make the tough decisions, knowing that we will all be doing this together,” she said. “While the challenges are many, the opportunities are great.”

Taylor, also a Democrat, issued a concession statement on social media on April 19.

“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,” Taylor said.

“I pray that Mayor-Elect Lee fulfills her commitment to unify Oakland by authentically engaging the ... Oaklanders who voted for me and who want pragmatic results-driven leadership,” he wrote.

Lee, who was born in El Paso, Texas, and served as a U.S. representative from 1998 to 2025. She also served in both houses of the California State Legislature from 1990 to 1998. While a student at Mills College, which merged with Northeastern University in 2022, she was involved with the Black Panther Party.

In the House, she chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus and was a founder of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.

In the lead up to the Iraq War, Lee was the only congress member to vote against authorizing the use of force in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Lee ran on a platform of improving public safety, homelessness, and accountability, and reducing corruption.