“We are going to be scrappy, we’re creative, we’re resilient.”
by Natalie Orenstein May 20, 2025 (Oaklandside.com)
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An energetic Barbara Lee was sworn in as the city’s 52nd mayor Tuesday in front of an overflowing crowd of steadfast supporters at Oakland City Hall.
In her remarks, she acknowledged the monumental task in front of her.
“My job is to lead our city out of a budget crisis,” Lee said.
After taking the oath of office over her grandfather’s bible, Lee likened her family’s history to the city’s “spirited resilience.” Her grandfather was born in Galveston, Texas, two years after a Union general came to the town to announce that slavery had ended two years prior. (The annual Juneteenth holiday commemorates the moment.) Decades later, Lee’s father, an army officer, was prevented from buying a house in San Leandro because he was Black. Lee said her political career has been inspired by her relatives’ can-do attitude.
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“Oaklanders expect and demand that we must govern in a new way,” said the former congresswoman. “You were clear about the need to transform Oakland into a safe and cleaner city.” Calling homelessness a “moral disgrace,” the mayor said she’d focus on attracting investment, and supporting businesses and artists.
The swearing-in ceremony, while open to the public and streamed online, was not an official meeting of the city. Members of the press were allowed in but not permitted to take available seats in the council chamber; reporters were told to stand against a wall instead.
Earlier that morning, the City Council had declared the April election results, including the election of District 2’s new councilmember, Charlene Wang, and the passage of the Measure A sales tax.
“Our team is complete,” Wang said after her swearing-in.
The council’s acceptance of the election results marks the end of a tumultuous, high-turnover time at City Hall.
Mayor Sheng Thao’s recall in November left the city’s top job wide open, though Lee and former Councilmember Loren Taylor were widely viewed as the two frontrunners. Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas was elected to the county board of supervisors, prompting a special election for her District 2 seat, too.
Kevin Jenkins, who’s served as interim mayor since the recall, will now return to his regular position representing District 6 on council — and step into the council presidency.
More change is bound to come, though: The city recently announced the resignation of its top finance official. Lee as mayor could also choose to replace the city administrator and bring other staff into the mayor’s office.
Oakland’s budget is facing a $265 million deficit
Lee and Wang won’t be able to get up to speed at a leisurely pace. They’re entering office at a critical moment in a troubled budget cycle.
Jenkins recently released his two-year budget plan to close Oakland’s $265 million deficit. Lee reportedly provided feedback as he and finance staff were crafting the proposal.
The proposed budget bumps up public safety investments and largely maintains core city services, but it cuts 400 jobs, most of which are currently vacant, and it counts on voters to approve a future parcel tax.
As a councilmember, Wang is among the officials charged with either approving Jenkins’ plan or amending it before adopting it, by June 30. Wang will host a budget forum for residents of her district on May 28.
“We are stepping into office at an extraordinary moment — the federal government is poised to pull back the very resources our community depends on…It would be easy to feel overwhelmed,” Wang said in a speech following her swearing-in. “Oakland doesn’t fold under pressure. We are going to be scrappy, we’re creative, we’re resilient.”
Wang handily won the D2 post in April, after running unsuccessfully for the at-large seat on the council in November. She ran on a policy-heavy platform focused on public safety.
This is the 34-year-old’s first time holding public office, but she’s worked in various city, state, and federal government positions, focused on issues including homelessness, transportation, and climate.
Former Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan was appointed to fill the D2 seat in the interim. She jokingly assured city administrators from the dais Tuesday that she’s already relinquished her parking pass to Wang.
NATALIE ORENSTEIN
Natalie Orenstein is a senior reporter covering City Hall, housing and homelessness for The Oaklandside. Her reporting on a flood of eviction cases following the end of the Alameda County pandemic moratorium won recognition from the Society of Professional Reporters NorCal in 2024. Natalie was previously on staff at Berkeleyside, where she covered education, including extensive, award-winning reporting on the legacy of school desegregation in Berkeley Unified. Natalie lives in Oakland, grew up in Berkeley, and has only left her beloved East Bay once, to attend Pomona College.More by Natalie Orenstein
