U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (photo courtesy of Karen Bass for mayor)

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), who has represented California’s 37th Congressional District since 2011, announced on Sept. 27 that she is running for mayor of Los Angeles in the 2022 election.

Bass joined a field of candidates that includes Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Councilmen Joe Buscaino and Kevin De Leon, and downtown business leader Jessica Lall, president and CEO of the Central City Association of Los Angeles. Real estate developer Rick Caruso, owner of The Grove and several other Los Angeles-area retail properties, and former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner are also considering a campaign for mayor in 2022.

“Our city is facing a public health, safety and economic crisis in homelessness that has evolved into a humanitarian emergency. I’ve spent my entire life bringing groups of people together in coalitions to solve complex problems and produce concrete change – especially in times of crisis,” Bass said in a statement. “Los Angeles is my home. With my whole heart, I’m ready. Let’s do this – together.”

The congresswoman’s spokesman, Zach Seidl, said on Sept. 27 that Bass was not immediately available for an interview. Bass is currently serving her sixth term in Congress after last being reelected in November 2020. She serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights. Bass also serves on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, and was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2019 and 2020.

Bass cited homelessness as a primary reason for running for mayor in a statement on her campaign website, saying it has led to a “a full-blown humanitarian emergency.” Bass said a comprehensive approach that addresses affordable housing, health care, access to jobs and substance abuse counseling is needed.

The campaign website also cites Bass’ work in community building as an asset in solving the city’s myriad problems. In 1990, she founded the Community Coalition, a social justice organization in South Los Angeles that empowers members of the Black and Latino communities to address substance abuse, poverty and crime. Bass also cited her work in supporting children in foster care as founder of the National Foster Youth Institute.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Bass served six years in the California State Assembly. In 2008, she became the first Black woman to serve as speaker of any state legislature in the United States.