President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris jointly endorsed Rep. Karen Bass in her run for Los Angeles mayor today.
“We are endorsing Karen Bass for Los Angeles mayor because we are eager to continue to partner with her on innovative strategies to reduce homelessness and increase public safety and prosperity,” Biden and Harris said in a joint statement released by the Bass campaign. “Karen Bass has our friendship, and she has earned our respect through her leadership in Congress on crime prevention strategies, effective and fair policing, and the welfare of children and families.”
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Bass, a Democrat, has been the U.S. representative for California’s 37th congressional district since 2011. The district, covers several areas south and west of downtown Los Angeles. She finished first in the June primary race for mayor and will square off in November against billionaire businessman Rick Caruso, who is also a registered Democrat.
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Caruso quickly took to Twitter to respond writing, “No endorsement will hide the fact that @KarenBassLA has a track record of failing to address LA’s homelessness, public safety, and corruption. These endorsements have absolutely nothing to do with what this campaign is really about.”
He followed with an even more pointed, “The same old from establishment politicians won’t stop this city from sliding into an even more desperate situation.”
Bass, for her part, said in a statement that Biden and Harris have “delivered for America’s cities at an unprecedented level — on infrastructure, the environment, economic recovery and so much more.”
“I am excited to continue partnering with them when I get our city moving on homelessness, public safety, affordability and in ensuring every Los Angeles resident is treated equally and has an equal shot at success,” she said. “It is a true honor to have their endorsement; President Biden and Vice President Harris are leaders that I respect and admire so much.”
Bass last week picked up an endorsement from former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Bass has been endorsed by various congressional colleagues, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and local Reps. Linda Sanchez, Jimmy Gomez, Lou Correa, Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, Mike Levin, Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Mark Takano, Raul Ruiz and Lucille Roybal-Allard. She also has broad labor support from local unions, along with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Caruso has been backed by former Mayor Richard Riordan, business groups including the Los Angeles County Business Federation, the Los Angeles Police Protective League and celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, Elon Musk, Snoop Dogg, Wolfgang Puck, music mogul Clarence Avant and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Garcetti part two. Nothing will get done.
Caruso’s plan for the homeless problembis to call FEMA for help. I actually laugh when I write that, but it’s true. A federal program designed to provide logistical (and temporary) aid to disaster sufferers providing them financial assistance for property damage, meal packs, and tents and sleeping bags after a disaster strikes. And THAT’S Rick’s big plan to solve the multi-dimensional and complex problem of homelessness in Los Angeles.
It’s laughable on a variety of levels and shows that he has no real plan but felt compelled to have one written on his campaign web page. The guy’s only connection to poor people is to be sure they don’t smudge the polished brash and marble of his big shopping malls and high-end condos designed for the rich and elite.
I’m sure his list of contractors are excited to get the big-ticket contracts from him to build stuff. Like that won’t happen, I’m sure.
I suppose it’s better than most Republicans, who literally have NO PLAN in any of their agendas except for bashing democrats. Or Trump who literally just said at a rally that they should all be scooped up and taken to the city limits where land is cheap. I mean, that’s real problem-solving, isn’t it?
Yes, but he’s got an endorsement from Snoop Dog and Gwyneth.
I am a staunchly left on most of my politics and candidate support, but I’m also reasonable enough to say that the democratic party is failing miserably right now. LA simply cannot sustain anymore of this. All the money and intellectual value is leaving Los Angeles and California. The attrition is beyond sustainable. There is going to be no one left to pay for all of these programs that cost a fortune and 99% of the time make the problems worse. PLEASE vote for Caruso this time around and let him at least clean up the acute problems we have plaguing this city.
Hahahahha. The incompetent biden Harris team now wants to add the inept bass to further destroy LA inasmuch as Eric Garcetti has allowed it to become a third world cesspool of poverty, homelessness and disgust.
I hate the idea of voting for Rick Caruso but I will because Karen Bass is clueless about crime. Avoiding crime statistics and the dangers on our streets are just too much. She had her chance, she blew it.
For those who love the city and have experience on the ground the question to ask: Do you want a nice but relatively ineffective Congresswoman party line candidate or a guy who is a bit full of himself but gets things done?
As a life-long progressive I don’t need another naked royalty parading as if any of our problems have been solved in the Garcetti error. What a mess. I am done supporting the party line in California. Caruso will adjust the balance and shake things up. He may not be perfectly aligned with my perspectives, but we need a serious change. Things can readjust later, for now we need a big change and Caruso’s the best chance.
Remember Richard Roirdan? Not a bad time, not by a long shot…
Karen Bass is clueless about crime? What planet do you come from? It seems you need to take a look at her actual record. It’s all on congress.gov. Learn.
You should worry about your own state,not our city.