Barbara Lee Takes the Lead: Exciting Developments in Oakland’s Mayor Race!

In a surprising shift since election night, Barbara Lee is now leading the Oakland mayoral race with 53% of the votes in the ranked-choice runoff. Over the past three days, officials worked diligently to count approximately 44,000 ballots. This adds to about 49,000 votes tallied by the end of election night.

Most ballots have now been counted, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. What remains are mail-in ballots arriving in the coming days, along with “uncured” ballots. These are ballots that had errors, and officials will follow up with voters to rectify those mistakes so their votes can be included.

The final outcome may take a few weeks, but the early signs suggest a repeat scenario for Loren Taylor. In the 2022 mayoral race, he started with a lead but ended up losing to Sheng Thao. Lee’s campaign celebrated the ongoing results, calling them “encouraging” but refrains from declaring victory just yet. “We’re exceeding expected turnout for this special election, showing that Oakland residents care about our future,” Lee highlighted.

Interestingly, when considering only first-place votes before ranked-choice counting, Lee exceeds 50%. However, gaining this lead has not been without challenges. In the first batch of results, Taylor was ahead. He currently holds 47% of the vote.

This shift in results mirrors typical voting behavior in Oakland. Progressive voters often submit their ballots closer to election day, so their votes are counted later. Lee appears to be winning the flatlands of Oakland, an area known for its progressive leanings. In contrast, Taylor has strong support in the hills, where residents typically favor more moderate candidates and tend to vote earlier.

On another front, Charlene Wang maintains a strong lead in the race for District 2, aimed at filling former Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas’ position. Wang’s vote tally stands at 59%, while Kara Murray-Badal follows with 41%. Although the gap has narrowed since Tuesday, it’s unlikely Murray-Badal will close it completely.

Wang, a two-time council candidate, has a background in federal government and emphasizes public safety in her campaign. On the other hand, Murray-Badal, who focuses on housing policy, enjoys solid support from Oakland’s labor unions.

As the election progresses, the next update from the registrar is expected on April 25. Overall, these races highlight the evolving political landscape in Oakland and underscore the importance of voter engagement in shaping the future of the community.

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