Barbara Lee, a progressive icon and former U.S. Rep., has been declared the new mayor of Oakland after winning the April 15 race against opponent Loren Taylor. Lee, 78, is a Black female trailblazer who represented Oakland in Congress for over two decades before retiring last year. She emphasized the need for more community services and police, economic development, job creation, and ensuring core city services while on the campaign trail.
Oakland, a city with about 400,000 residents, is facing economic stagnation, crime, and homelessness. The city has been deeply divided and recently underwent a divisive recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was indicted on federal charges earlier this year. The city is dealing with issues such as homeless tents, public drug use, illegal sideshows, gun violence, and robberies that have led to businesses like In-N-Out Burger closing their locations.
Lee’s victory was endorsed by former Gov. Jerry Brown and other previous Oakland mayors. Her opponent, Loren Taylor, pledged to bolster police, reduce crime, and revitalize the city’s economy. Despite a heated race, Lee emerged as the winner and will finish out the remainder of Thao’s term and run for reelection in November 2026.
Lee’s priorities as mayor will include addressing homelessness, crime, and economic development in Oakland. She is known for being the only lawmaker to vote against the authorization for the use of military force after the September 11 attacks. With her experience and vision for the city, Lee is poised to lead Oakland through its pressing challenges.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
