Barbara Lee is the new mayor of Oakland

According to the New York Times, Barbara Lee won the race like Oakland, the new mayor of California, only four months after his retirement from Congress. It brings her years of experience in the public service and a reputation to get things done. Proud Democrat, his victory is a historic moment; She will be the first black woman to direct the city, and it happens at a time when Oakland is ready for constant leadership to meet some of her greatest challenges.

In a tight race where she received 52% of the votes, the elected mayor said in a press release: “I accept your choice with a deep feeling of responsibility, humility and love.”

The special election followed the recall of former mayor Sheng Thao, a private decision by frustrations concerning governance and the increase in crimes, aggravated by an FBI investigation which led to his accusation act. The recall itself reflected an increasing demand for changes in the leadership of Oakland. Loren Taylor, the elected official elected official, Loren Taylor, led a solid campaign, presenting himself as a new voice that could fight crime and revitalize the city’s economy. While Taylor resonated with certain voters, the deep ties of the mayor Lee with the community and decades of experience finally gave him the advantage.

For more than twenty years, the mayor elected Lee represented Oakland at the Congress, becoming known on a national scale for his commitment to his principles and his dedication to equity. His career in Congress included pivotal moments, such as his only vote against military action after September 11.

Now, as an elected mayor, she focuses on local problems and is determined to have an immediate impact.

Oakland, a city with a population of around 430,000 inhabitants, is known for its dynamic diversity and progressive history. It is the birthplace of Black Panther Party and has long been a hub for social movements. But the city is faced with many challenges. Sans-Abri camps, consumption of public drugs and crime have all become urgent concerns. Economic difficulties have added to tension, with an increasing budget deficit leaving the city attached to resources. Even the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has intervened, deploying road patrol officers to support crime prevention efforts.

The elected mayor Barbara Lee hits the ground in progress with his “plan for the first 100 days”, taking up the challenges of Oakland with a mixture of daring ideas and practical solutions. Public security is at the front and center. It brings together leadership representatives and police companies to create coordinated strategies while deploying teams to eliminate fire risks in high -risk areas. On homelessness, it focused on the guarantee of financing the county of Alameda to extend the housing and support services to residents without housing.

Economic growth is another priority, with plans to rationalize municipal processes for small businesses and collaborate with the largest employers in Oakland on initiatives that benefit the whole community. She also undertook to modernize the governance of the city, to appoint a working group to strengthen responsibility and reform the Oakland Charter.

And let’s not forget the basics: the mayor elected Lee is endowment teams to combat the illegal spill and burn, audit of the city contracts to ensure that the funds are spent wisely, and to make the budget of Oakland’s finances while prioritizing public security.

In the words of the mayor elected Lee: “We must not be a divided city, but a united community. I will bring people together, like work and business, and work to resolve the most difficult challenges of Oakland. As mayor, I will direct a government that serves you, not special interests.

Although his victory is the start of a political change for the city, it is also a big step forward for the performance. Oakland has deep roots in the history of blacks, and the leadership of the elected mayor Lee marks an important step forward for equity and representation. While his mandate begins, residents are looking closely, hoping that his leadership style and history will be what Oakland needs to turn the page and evolve towards a better future.

At Easter, she mentioned that her first ten priorities attacked the budget deficit of $ 130 million in the city. Today, the elected mayor held his first press conference, and she said,

“Public security, the meeting with our police chiefs and our heads of department, by examining all the problems, in the unbeaned population, by advancing economic development and the creation of jobs.”

Votes must be certified before the mayor elected Lee can go to business. It will not be sworn in before half-fin in the end, and as it was a special election, there will be another election next year.

Resources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/us/barbara-lee-oakland mayor.html

https://abc7news.com/post/barbara-lee-holds-first-press-confrence-oakland mayor-elect-winning-tight-race/16216920/

Priorities – Barbara Lee for the mayor of Oakland | Official campaign website