After weeks of speculation, former Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee on Wednesday formally announced that she is running for mayor of Oakland. Lee, 78, previously unsuccessfully ran for California’s U.S. Senate seat, which ultimately was won by then Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff.

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

OAKLAND, Calif. - Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Wednesday announced she's running for Oakland mayor. In a video shared on social media, she said she has the support of Oakland firefighters and labor leaders and that she's ultimately decided to run for mayor to "unite our city, make it stronger and safer and improve opportunity for everyone."