Karen Bass
Mayor of Los Angeles since 2022 (born 1953) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Karen Ruth Bass (born October 3, 1953) is an American politician who is the Mayor of Los Angeles. She was the U.S. Representative for California's 37th congressional district from 2013 to 2022. A Democrat, she previously represented the 33rd congressional district from 2011 to 2013.
Karen Bass | |
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43rd Mayor of Los Angeles | |
Assumed office December 11, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Eric Garcetti |
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus | |
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Cedric Richmond |
Succeeded by | Joyce Beatty |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
In office January 3, 2011 – December 12, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Diane Watson |
Succeeded by | Sydney Kamlager |
Constituency | 33rd district (2011–2013) 37th district (2013–2022) |
67th Speaker of the California Assembly | |
In office May 13, 2008 – March 1, 2010 | |
Preceded by | Fabian Núñez |
Succeeded by | John Pérez |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 47th district | |
In office December 6, 2004 – November 30, 2010 | |
Preceded by | Herb Wesson |
Succeeded by | Holly Mitchell |
Personal details | |
Born | Karen Ruth Bass (1953-10-03) October 3, 1953 (age 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Jesus Lechuga (m. 1980; div. 1986) |
Children | 5, including 4 stepchildren |
Education |
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Website | House website |
[1][2][3][4][5] |
Bass represented the 47th district in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010. She served as the 67th Speaker of the California Assembly (2008–2010), and was the second woman and the third African American to be Speaker.[6][7] Since 2019, Bass has also served as the chair of the Black Congressional Caucus.[8][9]
Bass was a possible candidate to become Joe Biden's vice-presidential running mate in the 2020 election.[10] In September 2021, Bass announced her retirement from the U.S. House in order to run for Mayor of Los Angeles. She won the mayoral election in November 2022, becoming the first female mayor and the second black mayor of the city.