BERKELEY — The gap has widened slightly but Councilmember Sophie Hahn and nonprofit consultant Adena Ishii remain in close competition for the Berkeley mayor seat, according to the latest figures from Alameda County.
As of Friday evening, updated results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters showed Hahn and Ishii divided by 1,081 votes with thousands more ballots still left to count — Hahn had about 53% of the vote with Ishii pulling in about 47%.
Ishii declined to comment Friday but struck an optimistic tone Tuesday when results first placed her in second. Hahn did not respond to requests for comment but similarly expressed hope after Election Day for her odds of winning the race.
The candidates have campaigned on similar objectives: expanding Berkeley’s housing stock, improving city infrastructure and addressing public safety.
But while Ishii has pitched herself to voters as a much needed fresh face and unity builder on Berkeley’s governing body, Hahn has campaigned as being an experienced and dedicated leader ready to hit the ground running on day one.
Three other candidates launched bids for mayor — former District 4 Councilmember Kate Harrison, Logan Bowie and Naomi Pete.
Berkeley representatives are elected through ranked choice voting, meaning the lowest vote getter will be removed from the running and ballots will be retabulated until a candidate rises above 50% of the vote.
As of Friday, Harrison had received the third greatest number of votes.
“I appreciate the positive manner in which the three of us conducted the campaign. It is a testament to Berkeley,” Harrison said in an email Thursday.
Harrison was first elected to represent District 4 in 2017. She resigned from the body in early 2024, citing concerns with a “broken” city process.
She continued her bid for mayor though, running on a platform of open and accountable city government, demanding UC Berkeley and developers pay their fair share, and addressing public safety, infrastructure improvements and housing and homelessness.
Harrison’s departure came shortly after former District 7 Councilmember Rigel Robinson also resigned, creating two vacancies filled by Igor Tregub in District 4 and Cecilia Lunaparra in District 7.
Hahn’s bid for mayor created another vacancy on the council. Zoning Adjustment Board Member Shoshana O’Keefe is currently leading in that race with 76% of the vote against Todd Andrew, chair of the Solano Avenue Business Improvement District Advisory Board.
A fourth new face will be named to the council as a replacement of retiring District 6 Councilmember Susan Wengraf. Small business owner Brent Blackaby was leading Andy Katz, a member of the East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors, 62% to 38% as of Friday.
Both Councilmembers Terry Taplin and Ben Bartlett were also leading in their reelection bids.
Whoever wins the mayoral race will replace outgoing Mayor Jesse Arreguín who’s currently leading in his bid for state Senate against former Richmond Councilmember and current AC Transit Board Director Jovanka Beckles.