> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Berkeley District 1 race: Wrubel takes 55-vote lead
- URL: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/11/07/community/berkeley-district-1-wrubel-lead/
- Published: 2026-11-07T03:01:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-07T03:43:08.000Z
- Description: Friday's update showed Daria Wrubel ahead with 50.49% to Babitt's 49.51%.
- Author: Emilie Raguso
- Tags: Community, Elections, City Council, #articles

The race for Berkeley's [open District 1 City Council seat](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/10/31/community/northwest-berkeley-district-1-council-election-forum-2026/) has tightened dramatically, with [Daria Wrubel](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-daria-wrubel/) now leading [Laura Babitt](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/24/elections/berkeley-city-council-candidate-laura-babitt/) by just 55 votes in the latest ranked-choice results.

On election night, [Babitt led Wrubel](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/11/04/community/berkeley-election-night-city-council-races/) 52% to 48%, with 144 votes separating the two candidates.

Friday's update showed Wrubel [ahead with 2,847 votes](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/11/02/community/berkeley-election-results-2026/) (50.49%) to Babitt's 2,792 (49.51%).

## District 1: First-choice votes

The raw vote tallies are also remarkably close. 

Wrubel leads with 1,523 votes, followed by Babitt with 1,508 and Ross Bernet with 1,471\. Just 52 votes separate the top three candidates.

Friday's count added about 2,100 ballots in District 1: 5,950 ballots, up from 3,832 on election night.

The race remains too close to call, with additional ballots still to be tallied.

In 2022, 6,625 votes were cast in [Berkeley's District 1 City Council race](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/10/31/community/northwest-berkeley-district-1-council-election-forum-2026/).

The next results are expected Monday after 5 p.m.

**See our** [**complete Berkeley election results roundup**](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/11/02/community/berkeley-election-results-2026/) **and** [**full Elections coverage**](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/topic/elections/)**.**

## Learn more about the District 1 candidates

[Berkeley District 1 council candidates: How they differOutgoing Councilwoman Rashi Kesarwani has made her choice. Will voters follow her lead?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-3e6c84d8-a650-48ca-9783-b0d716fc6642.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-09-28-at-8.39.10---PM-d68c67c4-a54f-475a-9e84-6727fe46baf9.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/10/31/community/northwest-berkeley-district-1-council-election-forum-2026/)

## Sign up for The Berkeley Scanner

Authoritative public safety and politics news coverage in Berkeley, CA

Subscribe 

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. 

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.