Congresswoman Barbara Lee on decision to run for Oakland mayor
Congresswoman Barbara Lee officially launches campaign in Oakland mayor race
Retired Congresswoman Barbara Lee ended weeks of deliberation and signed official paperwork Wednesday to enter the special election for the job of Oakland Mayor. Her main opponent, former City Council member Loren Taylor who is making his second run for the Mayor's seat, said shortly after her announcement that he plans to stay in the race after receiving phonecalls from supporters urging him to not drop out.
OAKLAND, Calif. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee launched her campaign Wednesday, joining the special election race for Mayor of Oakland.
Supporters who had been urging her to enter the race for mayor greeted her as she made her way to the city clerk's office to sign the official paperwork needed to launch her campaign.
Lee also posted an official announcement on social media.
"In Congress, I fought for Oakland values. Now it's time to bring that business and legislative experience home for an Oakland Renaissance," Lee said in the campaign video.
Lee emerged from the clerk's office with a big smile. She said she made the decision after many conversations and careful deliberation.
"I've talked to labor, business, community activists. I've talked to members of the clergy and the same issues keep coming up, and I said, 'Well, let's do this,' and I'm very excited," Lee said.
Lee comes with a long history of service, representing Oakland for 15 years in Congress, and before that, as a state legislator and staff member for Congressman Ron Dellums who was elected as Oakland Mayor after he retired from Congress.
The congresswoman was greeted by interim mayor Kevin Jenkins, who was appointed by the city council on Monday to serve through the special election on April 15th. Other community leaders say they are backing Lee, whose name recognition and long political career gives her an edge in the race.
"I'm hoping she'll be able to tap into resources in the county, state and especially the federal. It may not be easy but I know she'll be the best candidate," Carl Chan, former President of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce said.
"I am still committed to running this race for Oakland," former city council member Loren Taylor said.
Taylor, who narrowly lost the mayoral race to Sheng Thao, says he got phone calls Wednesday urging him not to drop out. He said he plans to continue his campaign and is looking forward to showing Oakland voters why he thinks he is a better choice than Lee, despite her experience.
"Having someone like Barbara Lee in the race definitely brings more attention. She brings name recognition. But at the end of the day, we need to solve Oakland problems for Oaklanders," Taylor said. "It's not about what may have happened in the halls of Congress in DC, where you're going back and forth on national and global issues, Democrats and Republicans."
Lee responded saying she didn't expect an easy path, and promised to focus on issues.
"What's important for people to know, is that I run campaigns based on the issues. No personal attacks. I don't run based on any kind of negativity," Lee said. "I love campaigns, and I'm going to fight hard in this campaign because I want to win."
Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com. Call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU and read her other reports on her bio page.