Barbara Lee wins Oakland mayoral race, defeating Loren Taylor

Barbara Lee has won Oakland’s special mayoral election, edging out former City Councilmember Loren Taylor. Lee secured 52.69% of the vote to Taylor’s 47.31%, a margin of roughly 5,000 votes.

The Facts

Barbara Lee, a progressive former U.S. Representative won the special mayoral election with 52.69% of the vote, defeating moderate Loren Taylor, a former Oakland City Councilmember. The election was held to replace Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled in 2024 and indicted on federal bribery charges.

The Context

Oakland has faced significant challenges in recent years, including rising crime rates, a growing homelessness crisis, and a substantial budget deficit. In 2023, the city experienced its highest number of car thefts in over two decades, with a rate of approximately one car stolen for every 27 residents. Homelessness has doubled over the past decade, driven by a housing shortage. And the city's budget shortfall has led to cuts in public services and a hiring freeze.

Voters recalled former Mayor Sheng Thao in 2024, who has been federally indicted for bribery, underscored public frustration with city leadership.

The GrowSF Take

The small margin of Lee's victory over Taylor speaks to how much the electorate has changed. Lee, a progressive icon, achieved a modest victory over the moderate newcomer, but the political establishment expected a landslide. It speaks both to Taylor's political acumen and the electorate's growing unhappiness with the status quo.

Still, Lee did win, and we hope that she can deliver on her promises to address the city's pressing issues. Our neighbors across the Bay deserve a safe, clean, and prosperous city.