Top Oakland leaders say city ‘needs’ Barbara Lee as mayor in new letter [Video]

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — A coalition of elected officials and community leaders are asking outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee to run for Oakland mayor, in an open letter published Thursday.

After the November recall of its mayor Sheng Thao, the group wrote that Oakland is facing “a crisis of leadership.” A void they believe would be best filled by Lee.

“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 said. “We need someone who can bring the new ideas, policies, resources and opportunities that the people of Oakland deserve. That person is Barbara Lee.”

The group describes itself as a mix of “business, labor, community, government, and faith leaders who rarely agree on things,” but says they are coalescing due to “extraordinary times” the city of Oakland is experiencing.

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