Bay Area official Lateefah Simon aims to win Barbara Lee's Congressional seat

Lateefah Simon, who was born legally blind, said she has weathered challenges that have fostered in her a sense of empathy and an urge to help others.

When Lateefah Simon, a congressional candidate for California’s 12th District, stopped by outgoing Rep. Barbara Lee’s election headquarters in Oakland on Super Tuesday, she intended to bring well wishes to the veteran congresswoman in her run for the U.S. Senate.

“I’d been told she was catching a flight back to Washington, D.C.,” said Simon, whose campaign shared the same office building downtown. “I wanted to say hello and show my support.”

But it was the congresswoman who surprised Simon with a gift. She took the candidate by the hand during a news conference and, as supporters and media looked on, she passed her the baton — literally. 

“Barbara gave me an actual baton,” said Simon, 47, of the shiny blue cylinder that she accepted to cheers and applause. “I was humbled. It is an honor and great responsibility, one that I feel I must live up to.”

Earlier this month, Simon emerged as the top vote-getter in a field of nine, officially garnering 55% of the vote in the primary for the seat Lee represented for 26 years. Simon will face her closest contender, fellow Democrat Jennifer Tran, in November’s general election. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/lateefah-simon-barbara-lee-congress-rcna142347

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