Former representative Barbara Lee files paperwork to run for Oakland mayor

California ex-congresswoman would run in a special election to replace Sheng Thao, who was recalled

Barbara Lee, the California congresswoman who recently retired after serving nearly three decades in the US House of Representatives, has filed paperwork to run for mayor of Oakland.

The 78-year-old represented the San Francisco Bay Area city in Congress from 1998 until this year. She opened a campaign account to run for mayor with the California secretary of state on Monday, and a spokesperson for the veteran lawmaker told media she would make an announcement about her decision this week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report