Answer
Barbara Lee was a chief of staff for Ron Dellums before joining Congress. She served as his chief of staff from 1982 to 1986. Dellums was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1998. He represented the 9th district of California, which includes Oakland and Berkeley. Lee was elected to Congress in 1998 to represent the same district. She has served in Congress ever since.