Gavin Newsom endorses Lateefah Simon in race to fill Barbara Lee’s House seat

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) gave his highly coveted endorsement to Lateefah Simon, who’s running for California’s 12th Congressional District in 2024.

Newsom and Simon have collaborated closely in the past, representing District 7 on Bay Area Rapid Transit’s board of directors since 2016, where Newsom’s political roots lie.

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“Lateefah is a visionary,” Newsom said in a statement to Politico. “But more than a visionary, she is a proven leader who effects the kind of change that makes her vision a reality.”

“From working closely with Lateefah and watching her deliver real, progressive change in her community, I have come to understand her as a true force of nature,” Newsom added. “She is a dedicated and honorable public servant, a devoted community woman, and a role model to many.”

The House seat is currently represented by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), who entered the 2024 California Senate race in February in what’s set to be a competitive election to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Before Newsom selected Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY’s List, to be Feinstein’s temporary successor, Simon was floated as an unconfirmed contender.

Throwing out an endorsement is an uncommon move for Newsom, who typically withholds using his popularity in California to support candidates vying for office. In November 2022, Newsom was under fire for failing to endorse Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race.

Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC, California Black Women’s Collective PAC, and other black leaders called on Newsom to support Bass, emphasizing they showed up for him during the gubernatorial recall election in 2021.

“Black Women went all in to support Governor Newsom during the recall with Congressmember Bass leading the way. We showed up and came out while other groups stayed home,” a letter from October 2022 reads, according to the Sacramento Observer.

Bass, a decadelong member of the House, defeated her rival, billionaire businessman Rick Caruso, making her the first woman and second black mayor of Los Angeles.

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Simon, who was elected president of BART’s directors in 2020, is viewed as a top contender in the House race. Other Democrats hoping to replace Lee include Jennifer Tran, a California State University, East Bay professor, and small-business owner Tim Sanchez.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Simon’s campaign for comment.