Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee on Monday made her first official remarks since declaring victory and vowed to have the LGBTQ community’s back in the face of assaults from the Trump administration. Lee also reviewed her 10-point plan for her first 100 days in office and acknowledged the city’s budget problems.
Speaking in a small crowded room at the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s office near City Hall, Lee wrapped up her comments and press questions by saying that Oakland needs to “stand strong and resist some of these policies” put forward by President Donald Trump and his administration, such as immigration.
But she added that the LGBTQ community is also a priority.
“I know Project 2025 and know the administration is trying to dismantle the Department of Education, including inclusion and equity as it relates to our LGBTQ community and our trans community,” Lee said, referring to the blueprint drawn up by conservative leaders to radically reshape the federal government. “We won’t allow it.”
Lee, who represented Oakland in Congress for 30 years, didn’t rule out working with the Trump administration in areas where the city and federal government agree. She also reminded people that she served in Congress during the four years of the first Trump administration, and worked with other Republican presidents, such as George W. Bush. It was under his administration that she led the bipartisan effort to establish the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a global program credited with saving millions of lives. Trump is now working to gut the program’s funding with his pause on foreign aid money.
Sean Sullivan, a gay small business owner in Oakland and a community leader, was among those standing behind Lee as she delivered her remarks. He told the Bay Area Reporter it’s an exciting time.
“It’s a joyful day in Oakland,” Sullivan said. “I’m glad she spoke out on behalf of the LGBTQ community here and standing up to the Trump administration.”
Sullivan’s partner, Richard Fuentes, was also at the gathering of community leaders and media outlets. The two co-own Fluid 510, an LGBTQ bar in the city.
“Her 10-point plan is founded on addressing Oaklanders’ needs so we can turn things around so that when they go out, they feel safe and enjoy our city,” Fuentes said.
Lee, who did not indicate exactly when she will be sworn in – the Alameda County Registrar of Voters must complete ballot counting and certify the election and has 30 days to do so – vowed to take on the city’s challenges. Those include a budget deficit estimated at $129 million, public safety, and code enforcement to curb illegal dumping. She said she wants to work with Alameda County officials to ensure the city gets its share of resources to address unhoused residents.
“Oakland deserves transparency, accountability, service, and results,” she said.
The special mayoral election was held April 15 because voters recalled former mayor Sheng Thao last November. Lee will serve the remainder of Thao’s term through 2026. While the ballot included 10 candidates, the race quickly became a two-person affair between Lee and former city councilmember Loren Taylor. Taylor had a lead on election night, but once additional results were released April 18, it was clear Lee had won the race. He called Lee and conceded the next day.
"While the outcome was not what we worked for and hoped for, I am incredibly proud of the race we ran," Taylor stated. "Our campaign started as the underdog – most didn’t expect us to come this far or make it this close."
Lee was at 50.06% on the first round count last Friday evening, while Taylor’s share of the first-round vote stood at 44.99%. After nine rounds of ranked choice voting, Lee’s share of the vote increased to 52.69% for a total of 48,855. Taylor landed in second with 47.31% and 43,860 total votes. Political observers have noted how the race showed a divided city, with residents in the hills voting for Taylor, and Lee winning in the flatlands.
Lee addressed that gulf on Monday. “I’ve spent the last 30 years of my service representing all of Oakland,” she said. “I have a record of that, regardless of whether they voted for me or not.”
“Everyone believes in a better Oakland,” she added. “I’m going to do the hard work and make the tough decisions.”
Lee will have some additional revenue to work with, as voters approved a sales tax increase that was on the ballot last week. Measure A will increase the sales tax from 10.25% to 10.75% to raise about $30 million for the cash-strapped city. It passed overwhelmingly with 64.95% based on the preliminary returns.
And there will be a new member of the City Council. Charlene Wang, a lesbian, easily won the District 2 seat that became vacant when former councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas won election to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors last November. Wang won with 59.43% of the vote, according to the latest returns issued April 18.
Despite the news media having called the race for her on election night and other candidates calling to congratulate her on winning the seat that includes various neighborhoods centered around Lake Merritt, it wasn’t until Monday afternoon that Wang declared victory.
“I feel great. I am feeling really good,” Wang told the B.A.R. “I am just ready to take, like, a week off because now is the time to do some hard work.”
Wang said she may book a quick vacation depending on if she finds a good deal on airfare. She doesn’t yet know when she will take her oath of office, as first the country registrar needs to certify the election results.
“I have been told it could be any day to mid-May or even June,” said Wang.
She thanked the LGBTQ community for its support of her candidacy. As Oakland’s Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District along Lakeshore Avenue is represented by the District 2 councilmember, Wang noted she will be working to ensure its success.
“It is exciting to be providing the LGBTQ community representation on the council and especially as the council member covering the LGBTQ cultural district. I am excited to provide representation and hopefully to also revitalize that cultural district,” said Wang.
Asked about serving alongside Mayor-elect Lee, Wang told the B.A.R. she feels “really good” about it.
“I just reviewed her 100-day action plan and I see a lot of shared goals and am excited to work with the congresswoman, or now Mayor-elect Lee,” said Wang.
At Lee’s Monday news conference, interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins briefly spoke. He must deliver his proposed budget to the City Council by May 1. He praised Lee’s plans.
Lee said that she would be briefed on Jenkins’ budget plan and would offer suggestions if warranted. She also wants a forensic audit of the city’s finances, something she mentioned often on the campaign trail.
Lee also introduced her two transition co-chairs. They are Barbara Leslie, who is president and CEO of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Keith Brown, executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council.
Leslie, who also serves on the Oakland Port Commission, said she looks forward to collaborating with labor to see the city unified. (Lee had the endorsements of the labor council and the chamber’s political action committee, OakPAC.)
Brown said the labor council will work with Lee so that the city is rooted in unity, equity, and progress.
Before she made her remarks, Lee called for a moment of silence in memory of Pope Francis, who died in Rome earlier Monday.
Matthew S. Bajko contributed reporting.
Updated, 4/21/25: This article has been updated with comments from Oakland Councilmember-elect Charlene Wang.
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