LA Mayor Bass praises Biden, then swiftly endorses Harris
In a whirlwind day of political jolts, Karen Bass praised President Biden, who announced that he would not run for re-election on Sunday, and Vice President Kamala Harris, whom the Los Angeles mayor swiftly endorsed to follow Biden into office.
Bass was reported to be on Biden’s short list of vice presidential candidates in 2020 when she was a congresswoman.
Bass embraced Harris mere hours after Biden’s stunning announcement, in which the president also endorsed Harris as the Democrats’ nominee after weeks of refusing to bow out of the race after a oft-halting, much-criticized performance in his debate against the GOP nominee, former President Donald Trump.
“Vice President Harris leads with strength, courage, and compassion. She has been an invaluable ally in our work to improve LA’s economy, safety and infrastructure, and in our work to house Angelenos,” Bass said.
“She has always been there for Los Angeles, going back long before she was elected Vice President.,” added Bass. “When I served in Congress and she was our senator, we worked closely together on violence prevention and criminal justice reforms. When she was Attorney General during the housing crisis, she helped prevent thousands of people from losing their homes by securing billions of dollars in a historic settlement for California families. She also worked to protect the environment while ensuring good-paying union jobs were available for Angelenos.
“… California is stronger because of her work as Attorney General and Senator. America is stronger because of her work as Vice President. I am proud to endorse Vice President Harris to be the next President of the United States and call on all Democrats to join me in doing everything possible to help her win this election,” Bass concluded.
Back in February, Biden called Bass as she was in the middle of an update to the media on fierce Southern California rainstorms. Holding up her cellphone to the microphone, Bass, who identified the caller on the other end as the president, asked him to say a few words to Angelenos.
“If there’s anything more you need from us … FEMA’s well-positioned,” Biden said. “We’ll get any help on the way as soon as you guys request it. So just let me know. That’s why I’m calling,” adding that he had just gotten off the phone with California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Back in November, Bass and Harris shared a mic while standing on the fire-damaged 10 Freeway, to announce that it would reopen after a week’s closure and frantic repair efforts.
“Good morning Los Angeles, and this is a great day in our city,” Bass declared. The mayor praised Caltrans crews — and also commuters for their patience.
The vice president praised the union workers who often put in “as many as 14 hours a day.”
On 2022, Harris, administered the oath of office to Bass when she was sworn in as L.A. mayor in 2022.
Earlier Sunday, Bass offered praise for Biden, calling him “one of the most successful and consequential presidents in American history — and Anglenos have benefited directly from his leadership.
“His partnership was essential in unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles decreasing for the first time in years. He has helped provide Angelenos with health care, lower prescription drug costs, stronger infrastructure, an expanded public transportation system, and a greener Los Angeles. Just this week, we celebrated more than $70 million in federal investments to expand LA Metro’s electric bus fleet as we prepare to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.
City News Service contributed to this report