The Alameda County Board of Supervisors apparently won't have an out LGBTQ member after all. With new vote totals issued late Wednesday afternoon, Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas declared victory over gay Emeryville City Councilmember John Bauters for the open District 5 seat.
With the latest returns being released, Bas was ahead of gay Emeryville City Councilmember John Bauters by 415 votes. Earlier this week, Bas led by only 106 votes, according to previous returns. The new tally shows Bas with 50.15% to Bauters' 49.85%.
Right after the election, it was Bauters who had been leading in the race. But he saw his lead vanish as additional votes were counted.
Bas posted on X shortly after the latest results were released November 20.
"Today, it appears that District 5 voters have selected me as their next representative to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors," she wrote.
"I will bring an unflagging commitment and engage the community to serve every resident by expanding affordable housing and effective solutions to homelessness, accessible healthcare, good jobs, and safe communities," Bas added. "One year ago, I answered the call from community-based advocates and Labor leaders to advance a vision of an equitable, prosperous and healthy future for every Alameda County family."
Bas, a progressive, had the backing of numerous labor organizations for her campaign, according to her website. Outgoing Supervisor Keith Carson had endorsed Bauters to be his successor.
With the recall of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao easily passing, Bas had been in line as the current council president to become acting mayor until a special election was held. Now that Bas has won the supervisor race, however, the council will need to select a member to serve as acting mayor. The acting mayor would likely serve until April, when it's expected a special election will be held to complete Thao's term.
Bauters conceded Friday, November 22, in an email to supporters.
"With the ballot counting process nearing an end, and despite a very close race, it appears that Nikki Bas will be the next Alameda County Supervisor for District 5," he stated. "I've called to wish Nikki the best of luck in her new role representing us at the Board of Supervisors.
"I am extremely proud of the positive campaign we ran, and am grateful to the countless number of supporters who helped us share that message with voters across the district. To the many of you who hosted events, contributed funds, or shared our message, I am deeply grateful for your love and support," Bauters added.
He also noted that his tenure on the Emeryville council will soon end.
"My time as a member of the Emeryville City Council is also drawing to a close on December 10. It has been my distinct privilege to represent the people of Emeryville these past eight years and I am proud of the work we've accomplished together on housing, homelessness, environmental justice, active transportation, and community programming," Bauters stated.
As for his next steps, Bauters stated he would be spending time with friends and family "and identifying a new employment opportunity that will allow me to continue my work addressing the important social justice issues facing our communities in the new year."
In another race that is outstanding, gay Hayward school board candidate Austin Bruckner Carrillo is leading for the third seat with 15.96% of the vote. Three of the oversight body's seats were up for grabs in the November 5 election.
The Alameda registrar will next post results Tuesday, December 3, but there are very few ballots remaining. According to the California Secretary of State's office, just 4,386 ballots to be cured are left to be tallied. It is not known how many of those include the District 5 race.
Updated, 11/22/24: This article has been updated with when the next results will be released and John Bauters' concession.
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