Los Angeles, CA--Karen Bass is one of the last Black women in high political positions in Los Angeles and after much public urging, has finally put in her bid for Los Angeles Mayor. Bass has been a visible face in the Los Angeles political landscape as well as Congress, previously serving as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
L.A Mayor Eric Garcetti was recently named the U.S Ambassador to India by the Biden administration, which put his seat as Mayor up for race. This news upset many Angeleno’s who questioned Garcetti’s tenure as Mayor of L.A, calling attention to numerous issues including a growing homeless crisis.
Read More: Biden Chooses Scandal-Plagued L.A. Mayor Garcetti As India Ambassador
In 2008, Bass was the first African-American woman in United States history to head a legislative body when she was sworn in as Speaker of the California Assembly.
Since 2011, Bass has served as the U.S. Representative for California’s 37th congressional district–which covers South Los Angeles, Crenshaw, Baldwin Hills, Miracle Mile, Pico-Robertson, Century City, Cheviot Hills, West Los Angeles, and Mar Vista.
Bass was also considered a top candidate as Biden’s Vice President during the 2020 election.
Following the death of George Floyd, Bass and other key Democrats were able to get the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed in the House. However, Bass (who co-sponsored the bill), was unable to get support of Republicans in the Senate.
As a native of Los Angeles and more specifically a community which has been severely marginalized, Bass has worked in many areas that directly impacted my life as a kid growing up in Los Angeles, which is the crack epidemic and the foster care system. She was the Founder and Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, and served on the Congressional Social Work Caucus.
In addition to Bass, L.A City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Council-members Kevin de Leon and Joe Buscaino are also running for Mayor.
Primary elections are June 2022 with elections in November.
