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Libby Schaaf Declares Victory In Oakland Mayor's Race; Challenger Calls Announcement 'Premature'

OAKLAND (KCBS) — One Oakland mayoral candidate says she's the winner, while another is saying not so fast.

Libby Schaaf Declares Victory In Oakland Mayor's Race; Challenger Calls Announcement'Premature'

After Alameda County elections officials released preliminary instant runoff results at about 2:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, Oakland City Councilman Libby Schaaf declared victory in the race. But, a spokesman for Rebecca Kaplan, another city councilwman, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Schaaf's announcement is "premature."

While there are still thousands of provisional and vote-by-mail ballots submitted on election day that still need to be counted, Schaaf was pleased with the initial results which give her nearly 63 percent of the votes.

"We're so excited that we have such a positive can-do message about Oakland's future—that this city can be safe, can be clean, it can take better care of its children; that message has really resonated with voters," Shaaf said.

Schaaf also said that key endorsements, specifically from Governer, and former Mayor of Oakland, Jerry Brown made a difference.

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Meanwhile, Mayor Jean Quan acknowledged in an interview before the election that she has "made mistakes" but said she thinks she is "a stronger mayor" now than she was when she took office in January 2011.

She said she was proud of her own record of nailing down projects for Brooklyn Basin and the Army base, balancing four budgets and maintaining the city's bond rating.

Also at the top of the field was Kaplan and Joe Tuman.

Rank choice voting is expected to be finalized on Thursday.

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