Barbara Lee sworn in as Oakland mayor

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Former Rep. Barbara Lee was sworn in Tuesday as Oakland’s 52nd mayor. Lee, 78, took her oath of office at the City Council chambers in Oakland City Hall.

She delivered her first official remarks as mayor to a “packed room of family members, friends, elected leaders, and members of her Transition Committee,” according to a news release from Lee’s office.

In the address, Lee “reiterated her commitment to govern in a new way with transparency, accountability, and results.”

“Today marks a new era for Oakland,” said Mayor Lee. “Like Oakland’s gifts to me, I want to re-instill hope; create opportunities for our young people; ensure a safe path for our sons and daughters to have long, productive lives, and he housed or own homes in a safe, clear city.”

Lee was elected earlier this year in a special election following the successful recall of unpopular former Mayor Sheng Thao. As part of her 100-day-plan, Lee’s office said she is “engaging Oaklanders from all walks of life through working groups to inform how government can better serve the people.”

Lee, who is the first Black woman to be elected mayor of Oakland, also addressed the city’s budget crisis.

“As your mayor, my job is to lead our city out of a budget crisis and into a period of financial stability. We can only do this if we have a strong, vibrant Downtown, thriving small businesses in every Oakland neighborhood that preserve the character of our great City and contribute to our vitality, and a City that welcomes investment.”

Prior to being elected mayor, Lee served in Congress for 27 years and was notably, the only member to vote against member to vote against immediate military action in the aftermath of 9/11.