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.

The Bay Area politician, known for her antiwar position and breaking barriers in Congress, just left the House after more than two decades.

Former Rep. Barbara Lee announced Wednesday she will run to be the next mayor of Oakland, presenting herself as a uniting force for a town that has struggled to re-establish stability after the pandemic.

Many city leaders say the retired congresswoman will unite a fractured Oakland, while some worry she’s more of the same.

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."

Former Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) announced Wednesday that she is running to be the next mayor of Oakland this year. Lee said in a video posted to the social platform X that she wants to

Lee is likely to clear much of the field, with many of Oakland’s labor and business leaders ready to support her campaign.

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.

Former U.S. representative Barbara Lee on Monday filed paperwork with the city of Oakland, a sign that she may be planning a run for the mayor's office.

After 27 years in the House, rumors that the former lawmaker would step up have been brewing since December.