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Biden, Harris and Hillary Clinton endorse Karen Bass for mayor

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Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37) locked up some big-name endorsements recently in her bid for Los Angeles mayor, earning the backing of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, along with former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

“We are endorsing Karen Bass for Los Angeles mayor because we are eager to continue to partner with her on innovative strategies to reduce homelessness and increase public safety and prosperity,” Biden and Harris said in a joint statement released by the Bass campaign. “Karen Bass has our friendship, and she has earned our respect through her leadership in Congress on crime prevention strategies, effective and fair policing, and the welfare of children and families.”

Bass finished first in the June primary race for mayor and will square off in November against billionaire businessman Rick Caruso.

Officials with the Caruso campaign could not be immediately reached for comment on the Bass endorsement announcement.

Bass said in a statement that Biden and Harris have “delivered for America’s cities at an unprecedented level — on infrastructure, the environment, economic recovery and so much more.”

“I am excited to continue partnering with them when I get our city moving on homelessness, public safety, affordability and in ensuring every Los Angeles resident is treated equally and has an equal shot at success,” she said. “It is a true honor to have their endorsement; President Biden and Vice President Harris are leaders that I respect and admire so much.”

Bass last week picked up an endorsement from former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

“I’m proud to endorse (Bass) for mayor of L.A. because she’s a proven leader who will bring Angelenos together to solve problems while championing women’s rights and opportunities for young people,” Clinton wrote in an endorsement message on Twitter.

She hailed the endorsement from Clinton, saying in a statement she worked with the former secretary of state, senator and first lady “in Los Angeles, Washington and overseas on issues we both care about, including reforms to keep children and families from homelessness and to stop cycles of poverty.”

She called Clinton a “trailblazing leader who understands how high the stakes in this election are for women and for everyone whose rights are under attack.”

Bass has been endorsed by various congressional colleagues, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and local Reps. Linda Sanchez, Jimmy Gomez, Lou Correa, Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, Mike Levin, Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Mark Takano, Raul Ruiz and Lucille Roybal-Allard. She also has broad labor support from local unions, along with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

Caruso has been backed by former Mayor Richard Riordan, the Los Angeles County Business Federation, the Los Angeles Police Protective League and celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, Elon Musk, Snoop Dogg, “Sweet”  Alice Harris, Wolfgang Puck, music mogul Clarence Avant and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

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