Rep. Karen Bass Enters Los Angeles Mayor’s Race

By Teddy Grant Published: September 28, 2021

Rep. Karen Bass Enters Los Angeles Mayor’s Race

FILE - In this June 25, 2020, file photo Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference on the House East Front Steps on Capitol Hill in Washington. Election Day is over but California already is consumed with its next high-profile political contest the competition to fill Kamala Harris' soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat. Bass is one who is being considered as one of the candidates for the Senate pick. Bass, who represents parts of Los Angeles and its suburbs, heads the Congressional Black Caucus and was on Biden's vice presidential short list. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

In Summary

Rep. Karen Bass, once considered to be President Joe Biden's running mate, announced she's running to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.

Rep. Karen Bass, a Democrat from California, announced she is running to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.

“With my whole heart, I’m ready. Let’s do this — together. I’m running for mayor,” she tweeted on Monday. The six-term representative hopes to succeed current Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Bass, the former head of the Congressional Black Caucus, originally hails from Los Angeles. She said she launched her 2022 mayoral bid because she wants to tackle crises, such as homelessness. Around 66,000 homeless people are living in LA, according to ABC 7.

“Our city is facing a public health, safety and economic crisis in homelessness that has evolved into a humanitarian emergency,” Bass told NPR. “I’ve spent my entire life bringing groups of people together in coalitions to solve complex problems and produce concrete change — especially in times of crisis. Los Angeles is my home.”

Last year, Bass was considered to be the running mate for President Joe Biden during the presidential election. She was also in consideration to fill Vice President Kamala Harris’ vacant Senate seat.

The primary for the Los Angeles mayor’s race takes place on June 7, with the general election on Nov. 8, 2022.