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.

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.

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."