As a candidate for mayor, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee released a “10-point plan” last week to reassure residents that she will tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges.
Now that she has edged out her competitors in the ranked-choice special election with 50 percent or more of the vote, the former Congresswoman, who represented parts of the Bay Area in the U.S. House of Representatives, can put her vision in motion as the city’s first Black woman mayor.
“I accept your choice with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and love. Oakland is a deeply divided City,” Lee said in an April 19 statement. “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.”
As of April 18, Lee had secured 47,045 votes (50.0 percent), while Loren Manuel Taylor trailed her with 42,276 (44.9 percent) votes, according to Alameda County election results. Lee and Taylor were among 10 candidates who vied for the office after embattled former mayor, Sheng Thao, was recalled in November.
On Saturday evening, Taylor conceded to Lee. There are still about 300 Vote-by-Mail ballots left to be verified, according to county election officials. The ballots will be processed on April 21 and April 22.
“This morning, I called Congresswoman Barbara Lee to congratulate her on becoming the next Mayor of Oakland,” Taylor said in a statement.
“I pray that Mayor-Elect Lee fulfills her commitment to unify Oakland by authentically engaging the 47 percent of Oaklanders who voted for me and who want pragmatic, results-driven leadership.”
The influential Oakland Post endorsed Lee’s campaign, commending her leadership on the local, state, and federal levels.
Paul Cobb, The Post’s publisher, told California Black Media that Lee will bring back “respect and accountability” to the mayor’s office.
“She is going to be a collegial leader drawing on the advice of community nonprofit organizations and those who have experience in dealing with various issues,” Cobb said. “She’s going to try to do a consensus-building thing among those who know the present problems that face the city.” Please visit www.cablackmedia.org to read more.
