Though the vote tally isn't final, Lee's lead was commanding enough Friday that the San Francisco Chronicle called the race, declaring Barbara Lee to be Oakland’s next mayor.

The race for Oakland mayor has come to a close. Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has defeated former Oakland city council member Loren Taylor by a thin margin in Tuesday's special election. Lee is slated to serve in the role until the next election in 2026.

Former Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was projected to win a special election to become the next mayor of Oakland, according to Decision Desk HQ, in what became a closer-than-expected race amid