Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) time in Congress might be coming to an end, but a group of Oakland’s top elected officials are hoping she will pivot and run for mayor.
The self-described group of “business, labor, community, government, and faith leaders who rarely agree on things” released an open letter to Lee on Thursday claiming “extraordinary times” brought them together and are imploring her to keep the city from going into shambles.
Oakland has been in political chaos since November’s unprecedented recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao. The city is not only facing a crisis in leadership but is also facing a $130 million budget deficit that may lead to cuts in basic services.
“Our city needs someone who can restore integrity to the office of the mayor, unite us in a time of division, and help us address critical issues around the budget, public safety, housing, and inequity in our town,” the letter read. “We need someone who can bring the new ideas, policies, resources, and opportunities that the people of Oakland deserve. That person is Barbara Lee.”
Signers included outgoing city councilmembers Dan Kalb, Treva Reid, and Nikki Fortunato Bas, Oakland’s interim mayor for the next couple of weeks. She will be sworn in as an Alameda County supervisor next month.
Others who got behind the Lee letter are some of the area’s most prominent labor leaders, including Keith D. Brown, executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council; Andreas Cluver, secretary-treasurer of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County; Seth Olyer, vice president of Oakland Firefighters IAFF Local 55; and Debra Jan Grabelle, executive director of IFPTE Local 21.
Labor leaders have been urging Lee to run after Thao, whom they backed two years ago, got the boot. They believe the same groups that led to Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s recall will back someone who will ask unions to take pay cuts to help Oakland out of its financial mess.
Whoever is elected will likely have to make painful budget cuts.
The letter also praises Lee for her “three decades of experience as a state legislator and member of Congress” as well as her work in leading an East Bay nonprofit group that provided mental health services for people in need.
“We know that to solve Oakland’s problems and unlock its powerful potential, it is going to take a unique combination of courage and proven experience. Barbara Lee embodies that,” the letter continued.
Lee has not commented on the letter.
At least 11 people now are running to be Oakland’s next mayor.
Many others are expected to join the race. They have until Jan. 17, 2025, to send in the paperwork.
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A special election is scheduled for April 15.
Lee threw her name into the crowded Senate contest for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat but failed to move forward in the primary. Then-Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) won the race, beating baseball legend Steve Garvey in the general election.
