Loren Taylor Takes Early Lead in Oakland’s Special Election Mayoral Race

Voters are choosing a new mayor after the recall of Sheng Thao. They will also decide on a sales tax increase and fill a City Council seat.

Former Oakland city councilman and current mayoral candidate Loren Taylor gives a speech while surrounded by his family. Courtesy of Loren Taylor

Results are coming in from Oakland’s April 15 special election, with voters picking a new mayor, filling a City Council seat, and deciding on a sales tax increase.

Although results have yet to be made official by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, the latest tallies show that in the race for mayor, former councilman Loren Taylor maintains a lead with 48.22 percent of first-round votes (23,362 votes) over U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee with 45.7 percent (22,142).