Lee sworn in as Oakland’s 52nd mayor, says ‘no time to waste’ getting to the work ahead

by Kiley Russell, Bay City News May 20, 2025May 20, 2025

FORMER U.S. REP. BARBARA LEE was sworn in as Oakland’s 52^nd mayor Tuesday, kicking off what many hope is an era of stability following the tumultuous tenure of her predecessor.

Lee, the first Black woman to become Oakland’s mayor, took the oath of office with her hand on her grandfather’s Bible in front of an ecstatic crowd that overflowed the City Council chambers.

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Kiley Russell, Bay City News

Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

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