OAKLAND — 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.

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“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” Lee said in a statement. “At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united.”

“If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future,” she added.

The longtime East Bay congresswoman is widely expected to be the immediate frontrunner in the race to permanently replace ex-Mayor Sheng Thao in an April 15 special election. Thao was recalled by voters last November and left office the following month, leaving the city to be led by a carousel of interim mayors.

Lee’s announcement Wednesday came days after a new committee had formed to fundraise for her mayoral campaign. The rollout will allow Lee to begin receiving donations right away.

Campaign officials said Lee was expected to pull papers for the office later on Wednesday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.