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Paleo's avatar

Jerry Brown was mayor of Oakland after being governor. Cuomo wants to be mayor of NYC after being a governor. Plus Lee has never been in elected executive office.

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Anonymous's avatar

yeah a lot of career pols say things like "Mayor of big city is the second best job in politics". Rahm says it's his favorite role he's had as does Cory Booker. Especially given what Congress is like now, being Mayor seems like a better job.

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Zack from the SFV's avatar

Barbara Lee's mentor and predecessor in Congress Ron Dellums was also elected mayor of Oakland. He was a great House member but had a difficult time as Mayor. I wish her the best of luck in her new role.

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michaelflutist's avatar

I agree about Dellums on both counts. He was one of my all-time favorite members of Congress!

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Zero Cool's avatar

He represented my district before Barbara Lee's first term in the House. Great anti-war history and civil rights record.

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Zero Cool's avatar

Dellums was aloof as Mayor and didn't always give the most transparency with his administration. He also had been out of elected office for years before he ran in the mayoral race back in 2006. Brown by contrast was more competent and focused.

Lee has the fortunate ability to have been out of office for only a few months before being elected as Mayor. I think she'll do a good job and is already fired up with ideas and an agenda.

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michaelflutist's avatar

Was she in an appointive executive position before?

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hilltopper's avatar

As I understand your question, no. She was on Ron Dellums's staff and eventually was his Chief of Staff. She later served in the legislature for eight years.

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