Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has made history as the first woman and second Black person to lead the city. She took office on December 11, 2022, after defeating billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso in a closely watched election. Bass succeeded former Mayor Eric Garcetti and immediately declared a state of emergency on homelessness, signaling her commitment to tackling one of the city’s most urgent challenges.
Before becoming mayor, Karen Bass served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022, representing California’s 37th congressional district. During her time in Congress, she served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. From 2019 to 2021, she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, focusing on police reform, civil rights, and public health. Her leadership on criminal justice and racial equity brought her national attention, especially during the protests following the murder of George Floyd.
Bass began her political career in the California State Assembly in 2004. In 2008, she became Speaker of the Assembly, making her the first African-American woman in U.S. history to lead a state legislative body. Her background as a community organizer and healthcare professional gave her a unique perspective in the legislature, where she championed health reform, education, and child welfare.
As mayor, Karen Bass has prioritized reducing homelessness through both emergency measures and long-term strategies. Her Inside Safe Initiative aims to move people off the streets and into stable housing. She has also pushed for more supportive housing units, mental health services, and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles in housing construction. Her administration works closely with nonprofits, housing providers, and healthcare groups to implement solutions across the city.
Public safety is another focus for Bass. She supports police reform while also addressing rising crime rates in some neighborhoods. She advocates for expanding community-based interventions and alternative response programs, such as mental health crisis teams, to reduce police involvement in non-violent emergencies. Bass believes in a balanced approach that protects communities while improving trust in law enforcement.
Her stance on immigration has drawn attention, especially in light of recent federal immigration raids in Southern California. Bass recently signed a directive requiring all Los Angeles city departments to prepare clear response plans if approached by immigration officers. The move is intended to protect city workers and contractors, many of whom come from immigrant backgrounds. Bass has long supported sanctuary policies and opposes aggressive immigration enforcement actions that she says threaten families and communities.
Karen Bass was born on October 3, 1953, in Los Angeles. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She later studied at the University of Southern California, earning a physician assistant certificate and a master’s degree in social work. Before entering politics, she worked in healthcare and founded the Community Coalition, a nonprofit focused on improving conditions in South Los Angeles. The organization continues to fight poverty, drug abuse, and educational inequality.
During the 2020 presidential campaign, Bass was considered as a possible running mate for Joe Biden. Though she was ultimately not selected, the vetting process elevated her national profile and highlighted her experience in legislative leadership and community organizing.
Throughout her career, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has built a reputation for being pragmatic, empathetic, and focused on coalition-building. Her approach to governance combines policy knowledge, grassroots organizing, and an unwavering commitment to social justice. As she continues her term, Bass remains focused on making lasting change in Los Angeles through affordable housing, public safety reform, and equity for marginalized communities.
