Top Issues: Civil Rights, Economy & Jobs, Energy, Global Peace, Gun Violence, Health Care

Election Outlook: Cook Political Report rating: Solid D.
Rep. Barbara Lee has captured grassroots momentum, but struggled with fundraising in this four-way race, coming in behind both Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter. But with no Black women currently serving in the US Senate, she has a strong case to make for her candidacy. In this top-two primary, we’re hoping two Democratic women—Reps. Lee and Porter—make it into the runoff, though a Democratic self-funder and any potential Republican candidate will complicate that even further.

Current Elected Office: US Representative, CA-12

Years in Office: 1998-Present

Committees: Ranking Member: State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; Committees: Appropriations; Budget Subcommittees: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration

Major Legislation: Marijuana Justice Act; Sunset for the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Act

Former Elected Offices: California State Senate, District 9; California State Assembly, District 16

Profession: Social Worker

Work Experience: Chief of Staff, Rep. Ron Dellums; Founder, Community Health Alliance for Neighborhood Growth and Education (CHANGE); Statistical Clerk, California Department of Labor Statistics; Glendale Welfare Council

Education: MSW, U.C. Berkeley; BA, Psychology, Mills College

Did you know?

Barbara was a delegate for Rep. Shirley Chisholm at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.