Longtime progressive leader and former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee secured victory in the hotly contested race for mayor of Oakland, marking a dramatic return to local politics for the 78-year-old trailblazer at a time when the city faces mounting economic and public safety challenges.
Lee’s statement last Saturday confirmed that her opponent, former City Councilmember Loren Taylor, had called to concede following the April 15 special election, held to replace recalled mayor Sheng Thao, who is under federal indictment on bribery, fraud, and conspiracy charges.
“While I believe strongly in respecting the democratic voting process and ballots will continue to be counted … the results are clear that the people of Oakland have elected me as your next Mayor,” Lee said in her announcement. “Thank you, Oakland!”
A Progressive Icon Returns to Lead a City in Crisis
Lee, who represented Oakland in Congress for over two decades, is no stranger to political trailblazing.
The only lawmaker to vote against the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force following the September 11 attacks, she has long been considered a voice of conscience in American politics. Her mayoral win marks a historic homecoming to the city she’s long represented — and one that now faces serious challenges.
“Oakland is a deeply divided city,” she acknowledged in her statement. “I answered the call to run so we could come together and move forward.”
— Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLee_CA) April 22, 2025
Big News from Oakland
A new chapter begins—and we’re ready to get to work for all of Oakland.
Proud to announce the Co-Chairs of our Mayoral Transition Team:
– Keith Brown, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Alameda Labor
– Barbara Leslie, Port Commissioner & CEO of the… pic.twitter.com/PqoN5Vr0zq
Endorsed by Oakland’s Political Old Guard
Lee’s campaign gained momentum after receiving endorsements from former California Governor Jerry Brown, himself a former Oakland mayor, and a coalition of past city leaders.
They backed Lee as the experienced and steady leader Oakland needs in the wake of political instability and public frustration over crime, homelessness, and economic decline.
The city of roughly 400,000 residents — famously liberal, multicultural, and the birthplace of the Black Panther Party — has faced high-profile struggles in recent years. Public drug use, homeless encampments, illegal sideshows, and a surge in violent crime have drawn state intervention, including the deployment of California Highway Patrol officers by Governor Gavin Newsom.
In a headline-grabbing move, In-N-Out Burger closed its Oakland location in 2023 — the first permanent closure in the chain’s history — citing rampant theft and safety concerns.
A Heated Campaign Despite Lee’s Star Power
Though Lee carried strong name recognition, the race was far from a coronation. Taylor, 47, ran a serious campaign focused on public safety, economic revitalization, and expanding police presence, hoping to win over residents frustrated by years of city mismanagement and political infighting.
“While the outcome was not what we worked for and hoped for, I’m proud of the campaign we ran and the bold ideas we introduced,” Taylor said in a concession statement.
Lee, in contrast, shared a dual strategy of enhanced police presence and expanded community-based services, including mental health support, housing initiatives, and economic development. She promised to prioritize job creation, infrastructure repair — “even ensuring fire hydrants work properly,” she said — and rebuilding public trust in local governance.
Looking Ahead
Lee will serve out the remainder of Sheng Thao’s term, which ends in November 2026, and would be eligible to run for a full term thereafter.
Her victory makes her the latest in a long line of Black women breaking barriers in municipal leadership, a point of pride for many residents who see her as a stabilizing force at a critical moment.
As Oakland attempts to chart a course through overlapping crises, all eyes are on Barbara Lee — the progressive icon once known for saying no to war — now saying yes to the challenge of saving her city.
