Former Vice President Kamala Harris has endorsed Karen Bass in her bid for a second term as mayor of Los Angeles, offering a significant boost to Bass as the city’s mayoral race begins to intensify.
In a statement released Monday, Harris praised Bass’ leadership and highlighted what she described as key accomplishments during her time in office.
“Mayor Karen Bass is the leader Los Angeles needs right now,” Harris said. “She has done what so many said couldn’t be done, the first ever two-year decline in homelessness, reducing crime to levels this city hasn’t seen since the 1960s, and refusing to back down when the federal government came after our neighbors. She has my full support for re-election.”
The endorsement adds another prominent name to Bass’ growing list of supporters. Harris, who previously served as a U.S. senator from California and the state’s attorney general, joins four members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors who have already endorsed the mayor’s re-election campaign.
Earlier this year, Supervisors Hilda Solis, Holly Mitchell, Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger announced their support for Bass, describing her as a trailblazing leader and emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between Los Angeles city and county government.
Bass expressed gratitude for Harris’ endorsement, calling it a reflection of the work being done to address some of the city’s most pressing challenges.
“I am deeply honored to have the support of Vice President Kamala Harris, who has spent her career fighting for the people of Los Angeles and our country,” Bass said. “Her endorsement is a reflection of what we’re building together: a Los Angeles that is safer, more affordable, and unafraid to fight for its values.”
The mayor’s campaign has centered on tackling homelessness, expanding affordable housing, improving infrastructure and enhancing public safety. According to Bass’ office, homelessness has declined by 17.5% since she took office. Her administration also points to the acceleration of 42,000 affordable housing units and the city’s first major update to rent stabilization laws in four decades, which capped rent increases and strengthened tenant protections.
Bass has additionally launched Los Angeles’ first Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan aimed at repairing sidewalks, streets and streetlights across the city.
She is expected to face challengers Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt in the mayoral race. The three candidates are scheduled to participate in a live debate Wednesday night hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
