Los Angeles has never elected a woman mayor. Karen Bass hopes to change that. (The 19th)
Photo courtesy of Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images.
As Black women lead major cities across the country, Bass is courting voters by emphasizing her experience, competence and advocacy work. But she has to defeat billionaire Rick Caruso to make history.
By Nadra Nittle, The 19th, September 8, 2022
LOS ANGELES — For 36 hours in September 1915, Los Angeles Councilmember Estelle Lawton Lindseyserved as the city’s acting mayor when the sitting mayor and city council president left town — the first woman to ever do so. One hundred and seven years later, Los Angeles has yet to elect a woman mayor, a streak Rep. Karen Bass hopes to change in a November runoff election.
The nation’s top Democrats — President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton — have endorsed her. With decades of experience in public service, community activism and cross-cultural coalitions, Bass has a double-digit lead in the polls over her challenger, Rick Caruso. Unlike Lindsey, whom male dignitaries snubbed during her mayoral stint, Bass’ gender is not a disadvantage in this race, political experts say. Having served nearly 12 years in Congress, her bid comes at a time when women of color are breaking barriers as city leaders.
“I’m ahead…because people appreciate my message and my understanding of the issues and experience,” Bass told The 19th. “Of course, anytime you break the glass ceiling, it is critically important. But I do not believe that voters are going to go to the polls because I’m a woman.”