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OAKLAND, CA - Today Lateefah Simon announced she has earned the support of over 40 elected leaders since launching her campaign a month ago. Her early endorsements include Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, ten members of the State Legislature, and over a dozen current and former elected leaders from CA-12. A full list of her endorsements can be found below.

“I’m humbled to have the support of so many respected leaders from this community and throughout California,” Lateefah Simon said. “Good governance doesn’t happen from the top down—it takes collaboration at all levels of government. I cannot wait to work with this esteemed group of leaders to show this community what we can accomplish in the months ahead.”

“Lateefah Simon has been a force ever since she began her career serving low income young women 25 years ago,” said Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis. “She helped transform how our justice system treats young people, and she has changed thousands of lives through her work. By sending Lateefah to Congress, we’ll be sending one of our very best and I’m thrilled to endorse her campaign.”

"Lateefah is a trailblazing leader who has spent her career advocating for those who have been left behind and overlooked by our justice system,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Her dedication to criminal justice reform and public safety is unparalleled, and she has the expertise, passion, and commitment to make a real difference in Congress. As one of her future constituents in CA-12, I’m proud to endorse her candidacy.”

"Lateefah Simon is a true progressive champion,” said Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42). “Her impressive track record of community leadership and advocacy speaks for itself, and her commitment to equity is exactly what we need more of in Washington. I have no doubt that she will be a powerful voice for change in the halls of Congress and I look forward to working together to deliver for the people of California.”

"Lateefah understands what it means to dismantle systemic injustice so we can ensure our young people are better off than past generations, especially our Black and Brown children,” said Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid. “Her work as a community organizer, civil rights champion, and policy leader has had a profound impact on Oakland and already changed countless lives. Lateefah is going to be a star in Congress and I know she’ll work day and night to bring more resources back for our community.”

"Lateefah ran for BART Board to make BART better for working people and people with disabilities, and I can say with confidence that BART is better off because of her leadership,” said BART Board Director Bevan Dufty. “Most people don’t know that Lateefah flew to Washington to lobby for critical emergency funding to ensure transit services continued to operate despite the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19. Washington could use another transit and equity champion, and Lateefah was born for this role.”

Endorsements*

Eleni Kounalakis, California Lieutenant Governor

Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

Malia Cohen, California State Controller

Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer

Tony Thurmond, California Superintendent of Instruction

Kevin Mullin, U.S. Representative (CA-15)

Robert Garcia, U.S. Representative  (CA-42)

Nancy Skinner, California State Senator (SD-09)

Aisha Wahab, California State Senator (SD-10)

Scott Wiener, California State Senator (SD-11)

Josh Becker, California State Senator (SD-13)

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, California State Senator (SD-28)

Buffy Wicks, California State Assemblymember (AD-14)

Mia Bonta, California State Assemblymember (AD-18)

Matt Haney, California State Assemblymember (AD-17)

Isaac Bryan, California State Assemblymember (AD-55)

Corey Jackson, California State Assemblymember (AD-60)

London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco

Jesse Arreguin, Mayor of Berkeley

John Bauters, Mayor of Emeryville

Alexander Walker-Griffin, Mayor of Hercules

Lisa Gauthier, Mayor of East Palo Alto

Sasha Renee Perez, Mayor of Alhambra

Libby Schaaf, Former Mayor of Oakland

Elihu Harris, Former Mayor of Oakland

Kevin Jenkins, Oakland City Councilmember

Treva Reid, Oakland City Councilmember

Dan Kalb, Oakland City Councilmember

Courtney Welch, Vice Mayor of Emeryville

Malia Vella, Alameda Councilmember

Rigel Robinson, Berkeley City Councilmember

Terry Taplin, Berkeley City Councilmember

Ben Bartlett, Berkeley City Councilmember

Rashi Kesarwani, Berkeley City Councilmember

Cameron Sasai, Pinole City Councilmember

Judy Appel, Berkeley School Board

Janice Li, President, BART Board

Bevan Dufty, BART Director

Rebecca Salzman, BART Director

Joel Young, Alameda County Transit Board

Larry Reed, Contra Costa County Supervisor

John Burton, Former U.S. Representative (CA-5)

Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton

*All titles for identification purposes only

Lateefah Simon is a 25-year veteran organizer and nationally recognized civil rights and social justice leader. She currently serves on the BART Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees for the California State University. Read Lateefah’s full bio here.

Future updates about Lateefah’s campaign will be available at LateefahSimon.com.