The new member: Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.)
How they got here: Simon bested a fellow Democrat, Jennifer Tran, in the general election for this solidly Democratic seat based in Oakland. She won 65 percent to 35 percent.
Inside the campaign: Simon was a heavy favorite in this contest after jumping into the race to replace long-time Bay Area Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) in February 2023. (Lee ran unsuccessfully for Senate.)
She got a major boost when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom backed her candidacy to succeed Lee in a statement to POLITICO in November 2023. Simon emerged well ahead of the rest of the pack in the March 2024 primary with 55 percent of the vote.
The issues she’ll focus on: Simon has said she wants to be an advocate for people without political power — a mission she’s focused on throughout more than two decades in public service. That includes expanding access to disability services, building more affordable housing and expanding access to health care.
Expect a continuation of Lee’s outspoken progressive record throughout Simon’s time in Congress. “I’m a deep blue Democrat and I still am a deep mentee to Vice President Harris,” Simon said upon reaching the Capitol for new member orientation. “We’re going to fight for the lifeblood of our people. I’m here not just to serve, but to lead.”
Background: Simon’s benefitted from the mentorship of both Lee — she passed Simon a literal baton to her congressional seat — and Vice President Kamala Harris. She worked under Harris for about four years when the future vice president was San Francisco district attorney.
More recently, Simon served on the Bay Area Rapid Transit board of directors and was also a member of the board of trustees of the California State University system. She’s also been an outspoken advocate for racial and civil rights across a variety of organizations in the Bay Area.
Campaign ad that caught our eye: Simon ran an ad promising to “lock arms” with Harris on initiatives like banning assault weapons and ensuring public safety.
Of note: She’ll become one of the few openly blind members of Congress to ever serve.
We’re spotlighting new members during the transition. Want more? Meet Rep. Maggie Goodlander.
