With the news that Barbara Lee intends to run for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat the mad dash to call dibs on running for Barbara Lee’s seat has now commenced as Barbara Lee won’t be able to run for both the Senate seat and her own seat. The biggest name, so far, is Bart director Lateefah Simon. There has been nothing but praise for Lateefah Simon on social media (maybe it’s because I follow a lot of Bart directors, I dunno) but guess who has also indicated that they will be running as well?
Look, this is not the first time that Tony Daysog has tried to reach for the stars like this. It will be fun to watch his homespun campaign but, like, he’s not a serious candidate.
Blogging Bayport Alameda 
Oh wow, this can’t be real. Tony’s leadership style has been either to abstain or to follow Trish Spencer. It’s very rare that he ever stakes a position that is bold and representative of Alameda as a whole, and his anti-rent control positions will easily sink him in both Oakland and Alameda. Sorry, Tony. You are not the one.
Comment by Reality — March 1, 2023 @ 6:57 am
Well, he’s qualified- old enough and a resident of the district. Also has a reasonable amount of legislative experience. Is he likely to win, or even seriously compete? unlikely, IMHO.
But, what about Malia Vella? She has strong institutional support (unions) and is terming out on the City Council. If she threw in her hat I’d certainly support her.
Comment by Eric Strimling — March 1, 2023 @ 7:36 am
Vella’s experience is, like Daysog’s, entirely local, and she has much less of it.
Congress material she aint.
Comment by Jim — March 1, 2023 @ 8:58 am
Tell us, then, what other local offices other than council or mayor that should be a prerequisite for a congressional seat? Vella won twice, vice mayor twice. She would be a very strong contender.
Comment by Reality — March 1, 2023 @ 9:19 am
Just sayin if Tony aint qualified, she aint either
Comment by Jim — March 1, 2023 @ 9:24 am
Has Daysog run campaigns for anything outside of Alameda? That might be experience that matters here. And Vella has it.
Comment by quirkystreets — March 1, 2023 @ 10:37 am
Tony is not qualified not because of the lack of experience, because he has that in spades, but because of his total lack of convictions, his pattern of being out of steps with the mainstream voters, and just a general lack of leadership presence.
Vella is the total opposite. She takes courageous stands on issues like homelessness and housing and she and her causes consistently win. She’s very articulate and thoughtful, and consistently can explain complex topics to voters in a persuasive way. Tony can’t do that. He’s never said anything that showed deep insight, and he gets elected because he’s bland and predictable for the landlords and the anti-progressive types.
Comment by Reality — March 1, 2023 @ 11:09 am
1) Never refer to a person of color as “articulate”
2) she violated the charter
3) idiots like you & jason bigs are easy to persuade
Comment by . — March 1, 2023 @ 11:46 am
Nope, Vella did not violate the charter. I’m a BIPOC myself and I can say another person is articulate.
Comment by Articulate & BIPOC — March 1, 2023 @ 9:08 pm
IE money was against her and went to the Bonta in the last election. I wonder if it would swing her way this time.
Not sure why anybody would say that she’s too local to run. Where do you think politicians come from? Thin air? Maybe it’s just my time in SF of years past, but local candidates end up regional candidates who end up national candidates. Maybe you can only do that from SF?
Fwiw I know nothing about this Bart director person (but I’m curious how they’ve voted on various Big Issues). I’d happily throw money Malia’s way though.
Comment by quirkystreets — March 1, 2023 @ 10:34 am
What’s up with the geriatric candidates? Barbara Lee is 77 and trying to replace the 89 year old Feinstein who reportedly is suffering from memory loss. And 80 year old Biden, who would be 82 at the beginning of his second term and daily shows signs of dementia is (according to his wife ) running again despite 65% of voters polling against it.
Steven Tavares hints Mia Bonta is considering a Congressional run if they can clear the field for her. Lots of back door drama to come.
Comment by Really — March 1, 2023 @ 7:41 am
Nope, Mia is already wishing Barbara well on her run.
I wish Trish Spencer would throw her hat into the ring. Now that would stir up a lot of controversy and laughs. I’m sure all the usual progressives will come out with their treasure troves of Trish’s past antics.
Comment by Wow — March 1, 2023 @ 7:56 am
There currently aren’t any republican candidates indicating interest in the seat, so she could fill that void quite well.
Comment by notadave — March 1, 2023 @ 8:16 am
So for once that Larry David looking dipshit on Otis, Steve Whatshisface, isn’t going to run for the seat?
Also, has Tony mentioned how he was high school class president yet? I know I find that to be his most impressive achievement!
Comment by Rod — March 1, 2023 @ 9:06 am
Hahaha. It’s March 1st, not April 1st.
Comment by bjsvec — March 1, 2023 @ 9:18 am
I would posit by October the Barbara Lee campaign will look at polling numbers and she will drop out and run for her Congressional seat. BTW, Tony has campaign experience running for Congress already. https://ballotpedia.org/Tony_Daysog
Comment by Mike McMahon — March 1, 2023 @ 11:04 am
If Bonta runs for Lee’s seat, then it is hers. The Bonta machine will ensure that- all the Mayors, unions, and State capital money will line up behind her. plus, she is a good campaigner. If she does, then Vella should go for the state assembly seat that Bonta took from her last election.
Comment by Eric Strimling — March 1, 2023 @ 1:03 pm
That’s a long shot. Very unlikely that Lee can beat Porter for the Senate seat.
Comment by Mediocre Swimmer — March 1, 2023 @ 5:19 pm