Karen Bass

Karen Ruth Bass was born on October 3, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the Venice/Fairfax area of the city during the era of the civil rights movement, which significantly influenced her future career in social justice and politics. Her upbringing in a diverse community laid the foundation for her later work in public service and advocacy.

On December 6, 2004, Karen Bass was sworn in as a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 47th district. She became the first African-American woman in U.S. history to serve as Speaker of a state legislative body when she was elected Speaker of the California Assembly in 2008. Her leadership was noted for focusing on issues such as healthcare reform and education.

In 2010, Karen Bass announced her candidacy for California's 33rd congressional district after the retirement of Diane Watson. Bass campaigned on issues such as healthcare reform, renewable energy, and job creation. Her campaign was successful, and she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she continued to advocate for progressive policies and social justice issues.

On November 28, 2018, Karen Bass was elected as the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for the 116th Congress. As chair, she sought to lead the caucus in addressing issues of importance to African American communities, including criminal justice reform, economic development, and healthcare disparities. Her tenure was marked by efforts to build coalitions and bring attention to racial justice issues.

In July 2020, during the presidential campaign of Joe Biden, Karen Bass was reported to be one of the candidates under consideration for the position of Vice President. This consideration was seen as a recognition of her leadership in Congress, particularly her work on police reform and her role within the Congressional Black Caucus. Although she was not ultimately chosen, her consideration highlighted her national prominence.

On August 3, 2020, as a response to the national protests demanding police reform following the murder of George Floyd, Karen Bass introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to the House of Representatives. The Act aimed to establish a comprehensive approach to improving policing nation-wide, including banning chokeholds and creating a national police misconduct registry. It passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

Karen Bass was re-elected to the United States House of Representatives for California's 37th congressional district on November 3, 2020. This marked her sixth consecutive term serving in Congress, where she continued to push for policies addressing systemic inequality and healthcare reform. Bass's re-election underscored her constituents' support for her ongoing legislative efforts.

On January 4, 2021, Karen Bass re-introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act at the start of the 117th Congress. This re-introduction aimed to continue the momentum for comprehensive police reform established during the previous year. The Act sought to tackle issues such as racial bias in policing, qualified immunity, and law enforcement accountability across the United States.

On September 27, 2021, Karen Bass announced her candidacy for the mayor of Los Angeles. Her campaign focused on addressing homelessness, public safety, and economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The election campaign drew significant attention as she brought her extensive legislative and leadership experience to address pressing issues facing the city.

On June 7, 2022, Karen Bass advanced to the mayoral runoff after the Los Angeles primary election. She emerged as one of the top two contenders, setting up a showdown in the general election that November. Bass campaigned on her vision for a more inclusive and prosperous Los Angeles, prioritizing affordable housing and community-based public safety solutions.

On November 16, 2022, Karen Bass was elected as the new Mayor of Los Angeles, making history as the first female mayor of the city. Her election followed a high-profile campaign focusing on issues such as housing affordability, economic equity, and police reform. Her tenure as mayor has begun with a focus on building coalitions and addressing the city's pressing social and economic challenges.