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Karen Bass

Updated: Wikipedia source

Karen Bass

Karen Ruth Bass (; born October 3, 1953) is an American politician who has served as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Bass previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022 and in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, serving as speaker during her final Assembly term. After attending San Diego State University and California State University, Dominguez Hills, Bass worked as a physician assistant and community organizer, before being elected to represent California's 47th State Assembly district in 2004. In 2008, she was elected to serve as the 67th speaker of the California State Assembly, becoming the first African-American woman in United States history to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body. Bass was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. She represented California's 33rd congressional district during her first term; redistribution of districts moved her to 37th district in 2012. She chaired the Congressional Black Caucus during the 116th Congress. After winning the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, Bass became the first woman to serve as mayor of Los Angeles.

Infobox

Preceded by
Herb Wesson
Succeeded by
Holly Mitchell
Constituency
33rd district (2011–2013)37th district (2013–2022)
Born
Karen Ruth Bass (1953-10-03) October 3, 1953 (age 72)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party
Democratic
Spouse
mw- Jesus Lechuga (m. 1980; div. 1986)
Children
5, including 4 stepchildren
Education
San Diego State UniversityCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills (BS)University of Southern California (MPAP, MSW)
Party
Democratic

Tables

· External links
Preceded byDario Frommer
Preceded byDario Frommer
California Assembly
Preceded byDario Frommer
California Assembly
Majority Leader of the California State Assembly 2006–2008
California Assembly
Succeeded byAlberto Torrico
Political offices
Political offices
California Assembly
Political offices
Preceded byFabian Núñez
Preceded byFabian Núñez
California Assembly
Preceded byFabian Núñez
California Assembly
Speaker of the California State Assembly 2008–2010
California Assembly
Succeeded byJohn Pérez
Preceded byEric Garcetti
Preceded byEric Garcetti
California Assembly
Preceded byEric Garcetti
California Assembly
Mayor of Los Angeles 2022–present
California Assembly
Incumbent
Preceded byCedric Richmond
Preceded byCedric Richmond
California Assembly
Preceded byCedric Richmond
California Assembly
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 2019–2021
California Assembly
Succeeded byJoyce Beatty
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
California Assembly
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byDuncan D. Hunteras Former U.S. Representative
Preceded byDuncan D. Hunteras Former U.S. Representative
California Assembly
Preceded byDuncan D. Hunteras Former U.S. Representative
California Assembly
Order of precedence of the United Statesas Former U.S. Representative
California Assembly
Succeeded byAlan Lowenthalas Former U.S. Representative
California Assembly
Preceded byDario Frommer
Majority Leader of the California State Assembly 2006–2008
Succeeded byAlberto Torrico
Political offices
Preceded byFabian Núñez
Speaker of the California State Assembly 2008–2010
Succeeded byJohn Pérez
Preceded byEric Garcetti
Mayor of Los Angeles 2022–present
Incumbent
House of Representatives
Preceded byDiane Watson
Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom California's 33rd congressional district 2011–2013
Succeeded byHenry Waxman
Preceded byLaura Richardson
Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom California's 37th congressional district 2013–2022
Succeeded bySydney Kamlager
Preceded byCedric Richmond
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 2019–2021
Succeeded byJoyce Beatty
order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byDuncan D. Hunteras Former U.S. Representative
Order of precedence of the United Statesas Former U.S. Representative
Succeeded byAlan Lowenthalas Former U.S. Representative

References

  1. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-feb-28-me-speaker28-story.html
  2. Los Angeles Sentinel
    http://lasentinel.net/african-american-speakers-of-the-california.html
  3. Diverse
    https://diverseeducation.com/article/135297/
  4. "Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond Says Goodbye to Seat as he Prepares to Pass "Chair" to Rep. Karen Bass"
    https://lasentinel.net/congressional-black-caucus-chair-cedric-richmond-say-goodbye-to-seat-as-he-prepares-to-pass-chair-to-rep-karen-bass.html
  5. "The Blue Wave Of Black Politicians Gets Sworn In"
    https://newsone.com/playlist/african-americans-sworn-in-congress-district-attorneys/
  6. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-11/karen-bass-sworn-in-as-los-angeles-mayor-the-first-woman-to-hold-the-office
  7. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/11/us/politics/karen-bass-la-mayor.html
  8. "Biography"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201008163421/https://bass.house.gov/about/biography
  9. The Almanac of American Politics 2014
  10. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-21-me-hamilton21-story.html
  11. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/local/la-oe-morrison27-2009jun27-column.html
  12. Tablet
    https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/karen-bass-biden-venceremos-brigade
  13. The Atlantic
    https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/07/karen-bass-cuba-venceremos-brigade/614662/
  14. Congressional Quarterly
    https://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20101106/pl_cq_politics/politics000003759351_1
  15. "About Karen"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20101202174247/http://www.karenbass.com/about-karen
  16. "Commencement 2019: U.S. Rep. Karen Bass named 2019 speaker for USC ceremony"
    https://keck.usc.edu/commencement-2019-u-s-rep-karen-bass-named-2019-speaker-for-usc-ceremony/
  17. "About Us"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061749/http://www.cocosouthla.org/about/ourmission
  18. "Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Profile Series: Representative Karen Bass -"
    https://www.nfyi.org/congressional-caucus-on-foster-youth-profile-series-representative-karen-bass/
  19. www.international.ucla.edu
    https://www.international.ucla.edu/africa/event/3708
  20. The Black Commentator
    http://www.blackcommentator.com/216/216_between_the_lines_black_california_samad.html
  21. "The State of Black California"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003952/http://www.asmdc.org/speaker/pdf/State_of_Black_California_Full_Report.pdf
  22. San Francisco Chronicle
    http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/L-A-lawmaker-first-African-American-woman-to-3226146.php
  23. Black Voice News
    https://blackvoicenews.com/2008/03/06/karen-bass-makes-united-states-history-as-the-first-african-american-woman-to-be-named-to-speaker-of/
  24. Jewish Journal
    https://jewishjournal.com/news/los_angeles/community/70695/
  25. Los Angeles Sentinel
    https://lasentinel.net/african-american-speakers-of-the-california.html
  26. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-14-me-speaker14-story.html
  27. "Karen Bass, David Cogdill, Darrell Steinberg, and Michael Villines"
    https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients/karen-bass-david-cogdill-darrell-steinberg-and-michael-villines-2010
  28. "California Democrat Accuses Talk Radio Conservatives of 'Terrorizing' Republicans"
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/california-democrat-accuses-talk-radio-conservatives-of-terrorizing-republicans
  29. Los Angeles Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090630040653/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-morrisonbass27-2009jun27%2C0%2C4807376.story
  30. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-18-la-me-bass-watson18-2010feb18-story.html
  31. "Representative Karen Bass' Campaign Finances – Project Vote Smart"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20181116091349/https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/28963/karen-bass
  32. The Sacramento Bee
    https://web.archive.org/web/20101125000936/http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/11/nov3amatter---bass-denham-win.html
  33. BET
    https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/rk4uq8/25-most-influential-african-americans-in-politics/2knxa8
  34. Ballotpedia
    https://ballotpedia.org/California%27s_37th_Congressional_District_election,_2018
  35. Global News
    https://globalnews.ca/news/2869514/petition-to-diagnosetrump-urges-mental-health-evaluation-for-donald-trump/
  36. Twitter
    https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/821195034716438528
  37. The Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-considers-karen-bass-lawmaker-known-as-team-player-in-running-mate-search-11596215303
  38. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/her-skills-are-real-how-pelosi-put-down-a-democratic-rebellion-in-bid-for-speaker/2018/12/13/27bbc7c6-fefa-11e8-ad40-cdfd0e0dd65a_story.html
  39. House.gov
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190417094044/https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/africa-global-health-global-human-rights-and-international-organizations
  40. NBCLosAngeles.com
    https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/us-representative-karen-bass-los-angeles-la-mayor-eric-garcetti/2700238/
  41. fosteryouthcaucus-karenbass.house.gov
    https://web.archive.org/web/20211215011054/https://fosteryouthcaucus-karenbass.house.gov/
  42. www.ccainstitute.org
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110209022011/http://www.ccainstitute.org/for-members-of-congress-/list-of-cca-members.html
  43. "Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141031203557/https://timryan.house.gov/addiction-treatment-and-recovery-caucus
  44. "Our Members"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html
  45. Congresswoman Karen Bass
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220116065515/https://bass.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-bass-rejoins-quiet-skies-caucus-115th-congress
  46. "Caucus Members"
    https://progressives.house.gov/caucus-members
  47. "Rep. Karen Bass Elected to Lead Growing Congressional Black Caucus"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210304040251/https://www.rollcall.com/2018/11/28/rep-karen-bass-elected-to-lead-growing-congressional-black-caucus/
  48. "'Building bridges': How Bass became a leading VP contender"
    https://apnews.com/97f619d33c6bbb208b3aebb4e8178b0b
  49. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/politics/joe-biden-running-mate/index.html
  50. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/07/31/karen-bass-vp-candidate-los-angeles-388430
  51. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/karen-bass-scientology-church-biden-2020-93bb737c-ddc1-4a4f-b41f-cae924b1ab98.html
  52. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/05/karen-bass-scientology-event-appearance-391749
  53. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rep-karen-bass-potential-vp-pick-addresses-her-past-praise-n1235589
  54. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/01/karen-bass-scientology-390077
  55. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/ca-state-wire-cuba-fidel-castro-florida-politics-9cc427f07ca91d12b1fd9c8936763136
  56. Politico
    https://web.archive.org/web/20200727153403/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/27/karen-bass-castro-comment-vp-vetting-382316
  57. "@KamalaHarris is a great choice for Vice President. Her tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now. 1/ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfKoltpWkAEqk13?format=jpg&name=small"
    https://x.com/KarenBassTweets/status/1293281471378214912
  58. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/biden-cabinet.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
  59. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/06/us/politics/xavier-becerra-hhs-health-secretary.html
  60. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2021/09/27/1040906831/rep-karen-bass-launches-campaign-to-be-the-next-mayor-of-los-angeles
  61. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2022-11-01/overcrowding-housing-la-bass-caruso
  62. results.lavote.gov
    https://results.lavote.gov/#year=2022&election=4269
  63. "LA elects US Rep Karen Bass mayor, first Black woman in post"
    https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-02f20ef45e3cbbfc94e2eb073e1e860d
  64. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-11-16/2022-california-election-bass-wins-los-angeles-mayor-caruso
  65. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2022/12/14/1142893718/los-angeles-mayor-declares-a-state-of-emergency-over-the-homelessness-crisis
  66. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-12-07/bass-homelessness-first-year-interim-housing
  67. LAist
    https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-housing-affordable-executive-directive-one-ed1-mayor-karen-bass-raman-blumenfield-yimby-lawsuit
  68. LAist
    https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-ed-1-changes-mayor-karen-bass-affordable-housing-low-income-streamline-revision
  69. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-09-23/this-l-a-freeway-is-the-butt-of-many-jokes-can-it-have-new-life-as-parks-and-housing
  70. Hoodline
    https://hoodline.com/2023/10/los-angeles-mayor-takes-stand-against-marina-90-freeway-removal-as-dispute-intensifies/
  71. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2024-07-12/l-a-officials-continue-to-stall-homeless-housing-project-in-venice-new-lawsuit-claims
  72. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2024-12-13/venice-homeless-housing-limbo-coastal-commission
  73. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-06-03/venice-dell-housing
  74. Beverly Press & Park Labrea News
    https://beverlypress.com/2025/09/homeowners-denounce-sb-79-vote/
  75. CalMatters
    https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/10/newsom-signs-massive-california-housing-overhaul/
  76. Politico
    https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/11/los-angeles-housing-production-law-delay-00653060
  77. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/us/karen-bass-ghana-wildfire-travel-los-angeles.html
  78. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/mayor-karen-bass-la-fires-leadership-99e52cf69cc656ee7e0328c6b609be74
  79. LA Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-14/mayor-karen-bass-was-at-embassy-cocktail-party-as-palisades-fire-exploded
  80. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/11/los-angeles-wildfires-karen-bass-mayor
  81. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/los-angeles-mayor-fire-response.html
  82. KTLA
    https://ktla.com/news/local-news/why-was-mayor-karen-bass-in-africa-during-l-a-fires/
  83. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/08/theres-no-water-coming-out-of-the-fire-hydrants-billionaire-caruso-becomes-top-la-fires-critic/
  84. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/los-angeles-fire-water-hydrant-failure.html
  85. NBC Los Angeles
    https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/la-widlfires-budget-cuts-palisades-fire/3598438/?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_LABrand
  86. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/los-angeles-fires-mayor-karen-bass-handling-criticized-00197137
  87. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/11/did-budget-cuts-affect-emergency-response-to-la-wildfires-what-to-know-about-funding-to-citys-fire-department/
  88. Politico
    https://archive.today/20250109131552/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/wildfire-threatens-karen-bass-extended-honeymoon-00197228?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=dc17af68-fbd6-4816-b542-880b5b9516f9&nlid=630318
  89. AP News
    https://apnews.com/live/wildfire-los-angeles-palisades-eaton-updates#00000194-4c19-d297-a3df-5f390dc70000
  90. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67253?canonicalCard=true
  91. www.cbsnews.com
    https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/mayor-bass-removes-lafd-chief-kristin-crowley-effective-immediately/#
  92. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/los-angeles-fire-chief-removed.html
  93. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/21/la-mayor-karen-bass-burns-fire-chief-for-wild-fires-response/79453896007/
  94. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/21/us/los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-fires-los-angeles-fire-department-chief-kristin-crowley-and-appoints-interim-fire-chief/index.html
  95. BBC
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyg54r9897o
  96. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/21/la-mayor-karen-bass-kristen-crowley
  97. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-kristin-crowley-rcna187238
  98. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/21/karen-bass-fires-la-fire-chief-00205499
  99. Suzanne Westenhoefer
    https://web.archive.org/web/20191108211041/https://www.suzannew.com/event/42nd-annual-stoney-awards/
  100. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/12/us/politics/trump-impeachment-house-vote-whip-count.html
  101. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/judiciary-committee-nears-historic-impeachment-vote-against-trump-n1101436
  102. "Family First Prevention Services Act"
    https://www.cwla.org/family-first-prevention-services-act/
  103. "National Foster Youth Institute | Non-Profit Organization"
    https://www.nfyi.org/
  104. Congresswoman Karen Bass
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220523130421/https://bass.house.gov/issues/criminal-justice
  105. Vox
    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/5/22/17377324/first-step-act-prison-reform-congress
  106. Jewish Insider
    https://jewishinsider.com/2020/06/rep-karen-bass-house-letter-against-annexation-must-be-bipartisan/
  107. Los Angeles Magazine
    https://lamag.com/news/consul-general-of-israel-hamas-antisemitism-los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass
  108. "Rep. Bass Takes Legislative Action To Stand With The People Of Armenia"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20221203005937/https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-takes-legislative-action-stand-people-armenia
  109. "Los Angeles Mayor calls for an end to the blockade of Lachin corridor"
    https://en.armradio.am/2023/01/04/los-angeles-mayor-calls-for-an-end-to-the-blockade-of-lachin-cirridor/
  110. Armenpress
    https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101030/
  111. Chicago Defender
    https://chicagodefender.com/reps-bass-davis-introduce-the-fafsa-act/
  112. "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act"
    https://abc7.com/george-floyd-justice-in-policing-act-black-lives-matter-blm-police-brutality/6263026/
  113. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/us/politics/house-police-overhaul-bill.html
  114. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/us/politics/democrats-police-misconduct-bill-protests.html
  115. house.gov
    https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202160
  116. Amy Sherman, Bipartisan police reform has been a struggle in the Senate. Here's the story, PolitiFact (April 30, 2021).
    https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/apr/30/tim-scott/sen-tim-scott-says-democrats-blocked-his-police-re/
  117. Felicia Sonmez & Mike DeBonis, Republicans, Democrats unable to reach deal on bill to overhaul policing tactics in the a
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/policing-george-floyd-congress-legislation/2021/09/22/36324a34-1bc9-11ec-a99a-5fea2b2da34b_story.html
  118. The Black Voice News
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223913/http://www.blackvoicenews.com/news/41879-karen-bass-makes-united-states-history-as-the-first-african-american-woman-to-be-named-to-speaker-of.html
  119. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-31-me-bass31-story.html
  120. ABC7 Los Angeles
    https://abc7.com/la-mayors-race-2022-karen-bass-rick-caruso-los-angeles-elections/12269452/
  121. CNN Politics
    https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/10/politics/karen-bass-burglary-los-angeles/index.html
  122. KTLA.com
    https://ktla.com/news/local-news/karen-bass-says-home-was-burglarized-firearms-stolen/
  123. FoxLA.com
    https://www.foxla.com/video/1118127
  124. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/21/us/los-angeles-bass-intrusion.html
  125. mayor.lacity.gov
    https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayors-office-statement-regarding-getty-house-intruder
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