Retired congresswoman Barbara Lee announced her intention to run for Oakland mayor Wednesday, two days after filing initial paperwork with the city clerk’s office to do so.
Lee, 78, was first elected to Congress in 1998 and stepped away from the office just this year.
“As Mayor I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core city services residents and business owners deserve,” Lee said in a news release Wednesday.
Lee said she will be a “hands-on” mayor who will bring new ideas to the job, as well as extensive experience in harnessing “billions in resources” to support the city.
That would be in contrast to the only other U.S. Representative to run for mayor from what is now the 12th Congressional District, her predecessor Ron Dellums, who was widely perceived to be somewhat of a hands-off leader when he held the mayoral office from 2007 to 2011.
So far, in addition to Lee, 13 people have filed papers signaling their intention to run for Oakland mayor.
She is by far the candidate with the most name recognition, having spent nearly 30 years in public office, first in the state Assembly, the state Senate and then Congress.
Her top opponent in the mayoral contest is likely Loren Taylor, a former city councilmember and founder of the well-connected political advocacy organization Empower Oakland.
Taylor said Wednesday that while he respects Lee’s years of service, the city needs someone with a “fresh approach” who also knows the local ropes.
“I spent four years in City Hall and I deeply understand both how our local city government works and the root causes of our problems,” Taylor said, adding that he’s not a “career politician.”
The deadline to file papers for the April 15 special election is Jan. 17.
Whoever wins will replace interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins, who is the latest person to take over the mayor’s duties following Sheng Thao’s defeat in the Nov. 5 recall election. Nikki Fortunato Bas briefly served as mayor before departing the City Council this week in her transition to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
The next mayor will serve out the remainder of Thao’s term, which expires on Jan. 4, 2027.