Silicon Valley executive Lexie Reese, a Democrat, made the announcement on Thursday. Former Senator Diane Feinstein said she is considering running for the vacant seat.
“As a working mother, I have spent my career in nonprofits, technology companies, and financial services companies helping create economic opportunities for women and small businesses. We want to use it instead and make life easier for everyone in the state,” Reese said in a press release. “I believe our great state is at a tipping point and needs a leader with a different perspective to keep us on the right track.”
Reese, 48, previously worked for tech companies including Google, Facebook and American Express. It’s unclear if Reese would be wealthy enough to fund the campaign if he chose to go that route.
Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank, Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine and Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland are the top Democrats seeking seats, while Republican lawmakers Eric Early and veteran James Blood. Congressman Lee is best known. Former baseball legend Steve Garvey is also considering running. Some candidates are more prominent than others, but none of the candidates officially in the race are very well known across the state.
Reese did not respond to a request for comment and does not appear to have ever run for office. According to the paper, she has made a handful of small donations to Democrats, including former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s failed 2022 gubernatorial election and President Biden’s winning 2020 election. It also includes donations to the movement and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s failed 2020 White House candidacy. A bipartisan responsive political center.
During his time as chief operating officer at payroll provider Gusto, Reese outlined his guiding principles, or “blueprint,” in an article published on the website of Silicon Valley startup Coda: explained as follows.
Reese’s “best days,” she wrote, included “meeting people who were smart, generous, kind, and taught me something.”
And if people want to “get the best out of me,” say, “Call my BS. When I’m not practicing what I preach about leadership, call me.” writes Reese. I’m really sorry if my statement-to-do ratio is off. ”
