Jovanka Beckles lands Barbara Lee!
Jovanka Beckles, the Richmond Councilmember in a tough battle with Buffy Wicks for the California Assembly District 15 Seat, gained a major endorsement on Wednesday: 13th District U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
Barbara Lee’s about a legendary a local political figure as one can point to in East Bay Politics. Congresswoman Lee’s best known for her lone opposing vote on legislation authorizing the Iraq War after the horrible terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001.
Congresswoman Lee was heavily criticized for her decision at first, but time and the Lord caused events to unfold, with the famous Downing Street Memo – where President Bush was said to have wanted Sadam Hussain overthrown, and to that end “the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy” – providing the first evidence that Lee’s vote was the right one.
Since then, Congresswoman Lee has become a centerpiece of the Progressive Movement, and Democratic Party policy. Here’s Lee’s statement on endorsing Councilmember Beckles:
Dear Zennie,
Today, I’m proud to announce my support of Jovanka Beckles for the 15th Assembly District in California. Our community needs leaders – up and down the ballot – who will fight for justice, equality, and opportunity for all. It is important that in the Bay Area, we have leaders on the local, state, and national levels working together to make a difference.
Jovanka is such a leader, and has a proven track record of taking on the tough challenges and winning. She successfully worked to ban the box in Richmond, so that people who serve their time are not needlessly locked out of employment opportunities. She’s been a constant advocate for her community, successfully working to pass a $15 minimum wage, and helping to enact the first new rent control in thirty years in California.
I know that when she gets to Sacramento, she will continue the good work she started here in the East Bay. This fall, I hope you join me in supporting Jovanka Beckles for AD-15!
In solidarity,
Barbara Lee
Uncharacteristically, Jovanka Beckles’s staff has not issued a press release with her words on this news, as of this time.
Stay tuned.