OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — On Friday, Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee unveiled her transition team of business leaders, philanthropists, politicians and a Gen Z student — an early indicator of the coalition she is building to help navigate her first 100 days in office.
Two weeks ago, Lee won a special election to replace recalled Mayor Sheng Thao, leaving her with the task of unifying a fractured city government and addressing urgent challenges including crime, homelessness, and a major budget deficit.
The group includes retired Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, philanthropist and fund raiser Quinn Delaney, and Oakland Chamber of Commerce chair Barbara Leslie — the team’s co-chair.
Together, the team will meet to help the new mayor implement her plan to address some of Oakland’s biggest challenges: a budget deficit, public safety, homelessness and more.
“We can’t get there quickly,” Lee said in a conversation with Councilmember Janani Ramachandran. “But we’ll get there.”
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She said her immediate focus is resetting budget priorities and restoring confidence in city services.