Lateefah SimonLateefah Simon

When now-Mayor of Oakland Barbara Lee stepped down from the House in 2024 to run for Senate, many worried about the loss of her progressive, anti-imperialist voice. But since her election, Lateefah Simon has done well to fill her shoes and uphold the tradition of Black radicalism left by Lee and Ron Dellums before her. Simon, a powerful orator if you've attended one of the many protests and rallies she's spoken at, has been outspoken on left-wing issues, domestic and international alike, including Palestine, and she is undeniably the most left-wing member of California’s House delegation. Though we hope to one day have a DSA member in this seat, the East Bay will do well to re-elect Simon.

A lifelong Bay Area resident, civil rights advocate, and MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, Lateefah has spent decades fighting for communities that have been pushed to the margins — especially young people, women, and communities of color.

As one of the inaugural recipients of GIFFORDS’s Champion Award—an honor given to candidates running for office that are laser-focused on being among the strongest gun safety champions nationwide—it’s no surprise Representative Simon has already established herself as one of the foremost advocates for commonsense gun safety measures on Capitol Hill in just two short years in the US House.

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon is a nationally recognized civil rights leader with more than three decades of experience at the intersection of movement building, government reform, public-private partnerships, and visionary institutional leadership.

Congresswoman Simon started her career at the Young Women's Freedom Center at 16, later becoming the Executive Director of the Center at just 19 years old. She built one of the country's most effective organizations serving young women and transgender youth impacted by incarceration, the underground street economy, and sexual violence. She won the MacArthur Genius Grant at age 26 for her work at the Young Women's Freedom Center. Congresswoman Simon later partnered with then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to head the Back on Track program, served as Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, and President of the Akonadi Foundation.

In 2016, Congresswoman Simon was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors and later President of the BART Board of Directors, becoming one of the only Black women in the nation to lead a major metropolitan transit agency. As BART Board President, she secured more than $3 billion in emergency funding to sustain transit operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also expanding accessibility, equity, and public safety programs across the region.

In 2024, Congresswoman Simon was elected to represent California's 12th Congressional District. Currently, she is one of the only members of Congress who is a single mother of a school-age child. Legally blind since birth, Congresswoman Simon also leads with a clarity shaped by lived experience and an agenda forged in the pursuit of justice, equity, and transformative change.

“Lateefah Simon’s lifelong commitment to justice and equity makes her exactly the kind of leader Congress needs right now. In CA-12, she brings a fearless voice for civil rights, social justice, and economic freedom. She embodies the mission of People For the American Way — ensuring our democracy works for everyone.”

“BWOPA PAC is proud to endorse Lateefah Simon for re-election to the United States Congress. A lifelong advocate for justice and equity, Lateefah Simon has dedicated her career to advancing civil rights, expanding opportunity, and uplifting historically marginalized communities. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to ensuring Black women, families, and underserved communities are seen, heard, and valued. BWOPA PAC is confident she will continue to be a principled and powerful voice in Congress, advancing policies that promote economic security, health equity, and justice for all.”

Re-elect Representative Lateefah Simon to keep CD-12 on the right track for progress. Priority bills: This year, Rep. Simon’s priorities for CD-12 have included five bills about increasing safety and accessibility on public transit and protecting disabled individuals from discrimination in jury selection. All currently remain in committee. Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus?: Yes – Rep. Simon serves as one of the vice chairs of the Caucus. Committee leadership/membership: Rep. Simon currently sits on two committees, including Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business. Governance and community leadership experience: Rep. Simon has served in this congressional seat since 2025, when she was elected with over 65% of the vote. She previously served on the Bay Area Rapid Transit board of directors from 2016-2024. Simon is a social justice activist with a prodigious service career, which began when she became executive director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center at 19. During her decade with the organization, their work to reduce recidivism and the criminalization of young women and trans youth drew national acclaim, including Simon’s receipt of a Macarthur Genius Fellowship. Simon expanded on this work when she was appointed by then San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to create the Back on Track anti-recidivism initiative, and during her time as executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. She then served as the program director for the Rosenberg Foundation, president of the Akonadi Foundation, and president of MeadowFund. In 2016, she was appointed by then Gov. Brown to sit on the California State University Board of Trustees, and in 2020, she was appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve as a senior advisor on police reform.

Lateefah Simon- is the fighter who has continued the good work of former Congresswoman Barbara Lee. She is bringing resources to our district and standing strong against trump, Mike Johnson and the cabinet clown show. She will be reelected, thank goddess.