Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, who represented the East Bay in Congress for over two decades, announced plans to run for mayor of Oakland in a special election.

Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” Lee said in a statement. “At this critical moment, we must not be a city

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 at 1:30pm to sign the official paperwork needed to launch her campaign.