Wrubel Leads Berkeley District 1 Council Race
Ranked-choice tabulation has Daria Wrubel ahead of Laura Babitt by 161 votes as Alameda County finishes counting.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Elections
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Daria Wrubel led the City Council District 1 race in Berkeley as of Friday's election results, ahead of Laura Babitt by 161 votes after ranked-choice tabulation. Fewer than 10,000 ballots countywide remained to be processed as of Monday evening.
Why it matters
The District 1 seat opened when councilmember Rashi Kesarwani chose not to seek re-election, so the outcome determines who replaces her on the Berkeley City Council. Other council races in the city were also decided in the same round of voting.
Ranked-choice tabulation moved Wrubel's lead from 75 first-choice votes over Babitt to 161 votes, based on unofficial results from Friday. Alameda County had fewer than 10,000 ballots left to process as of Monday evening, so final totals were not yet certified.
The players
Daria Wrubel
Daria Wrubel is a Berkeley candidate who led the City Council District 1 race in unofficial results.
Laura Babitt
Laura Babitt is a Berkeley candidate who trailed Daria Wrubel in the City Council District 1 race.
Mark Humbert
Mark Humbert is a Berkeley City Council member who declared victory in his District 8 re-election campaign.
Igor Tregub
Igor Tregub is a Berkeley candidate who led Majdi Gaith 57.5% to 42.5% in District 4.
Syrak Micael
Syrak Micael is a Berkeley candidate who defeated Aidan Hill 67.7% to 32.3% in District 7.
The details
Wrubel's lead was built by tallying second-choice votes from supporters of other candidates, and Babitt briefly moved ahead when supporters of fifth-place finisher Steve Kromer favored her. In District 8, incumbent Mark Humbert declared victory after winning 51.6% of first-choice votes and leading Michael Wallman 57.8% to 42.2% after ranked-choice tabulation.
Timeline
Election Night: Syrak Micael declared victory in District 7.
Friday: Results update showed Wrubel leading Babitt by 161 votes.
Earlier this week: Humbert declared victory in his District 8 re-election.
Monday evening: Fewer than 10,000 ballots remained to be processed countywide.
Political Context
Berkeley's ranked-choice system allows second- and later-choice votes to be redistributed, which is how Wrubel's first-choice margin over Babitt grew to 161 votes after tabulation. Opposition to the outcome has not been reported, and the result rests on the remaining county count.
The District 1 result determines who represents Northwest Berkeley voters on the City Council for the next term. Residents in the district will see the new representative take office after the results are certified.
The takeaway
Close races under ranked-choice voting can shift as later-choice ballots are counted, so voters should watch final certified totals rather than early leads. Results in Berkeley's remaining districts will be finalized as county counting concludes.
What happens next
Alameda County will continue processing the remaining ballots, which could change the District 1 margin before final certification.
Further reading
Explore more coverage of Berkeley Elections for context on the city's council contests.
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