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U.S. Representative Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) kicked off her campaign for mayor of Los Angeles on Monday, telling Angelenos she was in the race with all her heart and ready to tackle the epidemic of without- shelter of the city.
“Our city is facing a homeless public health, safety and economic crisis that has turned into a humanitarian emergency,” Bass said in a statement. “I have spent my whole life bringing groups of people together in coalitions to solve complex problems and produce concrete change, especially in times of crisis.
She added, “With all my heart I am ready. Let’s do it, together. I am a candidate for mayor.
Bass, who served as state assembly speaker before being elected to Congress, co-founded Community Coalition, a South LA nonprofit focused on social and economic issues.
She joins an estate that includes City Atty. Mike Feuer, City Councilors Kevin de León and Joe Buscaino, Business Owner Jessica Lall and Real Estate Broker Mel Wilson.
Two others, real estate developer Rick Caruso and former LA Unified Supt. Austin Beutner, explored a run for mayor.
Bass spokesperson Zach Seidl said on Monday that she was not available for an interview.
On an election website launched on Monday, Bass signaled that homelessness would be one of the main campaign issues. Bass wrote that solving this crisis means “tackling the root causes of homelessness: lack of affordable housing, health care, skills training, mental health services, and drug and alcohol counseling. “.
Bass, 67, will have to divide his time between the campaign and his duties in Washington. It represents a neighborhood that includes all or part of southern Los Angeles, Mid-City, Culver City and Palms.
“She is certainly capable of continuing to be a leader in DC during the campaign,” said Jamarah Hayner, campaign manager for Bass.
Steve Barkan and Parke Skelton were selected as political strategists for Bass’s race, Hayner said.
One of the last members of Congress to run for mayor of Los Angeles was the representative at the time. Xavier Becerra. He did badly in the 2001 primaries, receiving 6% of the vote.
Bass’s entry into the race was expected. In recent weeks, she told reporters she was seriously considering an offer, while her supporters in Los Angeles – a diverse group that includes activists, mayoral politicians and Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg – also spoke de Bass for the mayor.
Shortly after Bass’s announcement on Monday, Feuer’s campaign challenged candidates to a debate on homelessness. Feuer also called for a series of city-wide debates.
“Voters deserve to know a lot more about who we are and what we stand for, because in many ways their security, livelihoods and quality of life depend on it,” Feuer said. “So let’s debate. Let’s debate now and debate often.
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