Barbara Lee: podcast appearances and interviews

Barbara Jean Lee is an American politician serving as the 52nd mayor of Oakland since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as a United States representative from California from 1998 to 2025. Her congressional tenure included representing California's 12th district, which encompassed most of northern Alameda County and was known for its strong Democratic leanings. Lee's political career also includes service in both houses of the California State Legislature, with her time in the California State Assembly from 1990 to 1996 and in the California State Senate from 1996 to 1998. Born and raised in Texas, she was educated at Mills College and the University of California, Berkeley. Her early work included involvement with Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign and participation in the Black Panther Party. Before her congressional service, Lee was chief of staff to U.S. Representative Ron Dellums. During her time in Congress, she was recognized as a progressive leader, serving as chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus at different times. She co-founded the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and was involved with the House Democratic Steering Committee and the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. Lee is known for her advocacy against the Iraq War and her opposition to the authorization of the use of force after September 11. She contributed to the creation of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in partnership with President George W. Bush. In 2024, she ran for the U.S. Senate but was not successful in the primary. She subsequently campaigned for mayor of Oakland and was elected in 2025, becoming the first Black woman to hold that office.