OAKLAND, CALIF. - In a dramatic shift following the April 15 special mayoral election in Oakland, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee has been declared the winner, pulling into a commanding lead over former Councilmember Loren Taylor, as vote counting continues.

After the latest RCV tabulation, Lee leads with 52.69% of the vote to Taylor’s 47.31%. That translates to 48,855 votes for Lee and 43,860 for Taylor, with nine rounds of counting. Lee’s momentum has made her the clear frontrunner in the race to replace recalled Mayor Sheng Thao. 

The San Francisco Chronicle declared Lee the winner on Friday evening. 

This marks the fifth mayoral election conducted with RCV since Oakland adopted the system in 2010 with 69% of the vote. The voting method is now a familiar part of civic life in the city, just as it has also become familiar for nationally recognized leaders to seek the mayoralty. 

From former California Governor Jerry Brown to 13-term California US Rep. Ron Dellums, and now longtime U.S. Rep. Lee, Oakland voters have repeatedly turned to veteran public servants during pivotal moments in the city’s history.

Lee’s win reflects not just strong first-choice support, but a broad coalition built through strategic outreach and positive campaigning.

In the final days of the race, Lee released a video outlining a ranked choice voting (RCV) strategy, officially urging her supporters to rank multiple names on their ballots.

In the video, Lee encourages voters to rank her as their number one choice, followed by Renia Webb, Suz Robinson, Elizabeth Swaney, and President Cristina Grappo in the second through fifth slots.

“These are folks who don’t just talk the talk; they walk it — boldly and with integrity,” Lee says. “They’re in it for the people, not the politics.” She describes the group as “incredible, values-driven candidates.”

“Oakland deserves a little more light, a little more laughter, and a whole lot more love,” she adds.

Lee’s campaign was widely praised for its positive tone. Advocates of RCV say her success showcases how ranked choice voting rewards coalition-building and discourages negative campaigning.

Oakland is facing a $129 million budget deficit this year, and its new mayor will need to urgently deal with a projected $280 million shortfall over the next two years. Public safety also remains a top concern. Major retailers have pulled out of Oakland’s downtown, citing fears about crime and insufficient city response.

Oakland adopted RCV in 2006 through Measure O and first used it in the 2010 mayoral election. Oakland’s system allows voters to rank up to five candidates. 

Though the final vote tally is still underway, Lee’s coalition-based, ranked-choice strategy has not only resonated—it’s put her on the verge of leading Oakland through its next chapter.

Mail-in ballots received by April 22 will still be counted. The next update on the vote count is scheduled for April 25