Karen Bass
Karen Bass | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2022 | |
| 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles | |
| Assumed office December 12, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Garcetti |
| 26th 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 9, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Diane Watson |
| Succeeded by | Sydney Kamlager-Dove |
| Constituency | 33rd district (2011–2013) 37th district (2013–2022) |
| 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly | |
| In office May 13, 2008 – March 1, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Fabian Núñez |
| Succeeded by | John Pérez |
| Majority Leader of the California Assembly | |
| In office December 4, 2006 – May 13, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Dario Frommer |
| Succeeded by | Alberto Torrico |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 47th district | |
| In office December 6, 2004 – December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Herb Wesson |
| Succeeded by | Holly Mitchell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Karen Ruth Bass October 3, 1953 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Jesus Lechuga
(m. 1980; div. 1986) |
| Children | 5, including 4 stepchildren |
| Residence | Getty House |
| Education | San Diego State University California State University, Dominguez Hills (BS) University of Southern California (MPAP, MSW) |
Karen Ruth Bass (/ˈbæs/; born October 3, 1953) is an American politician who has served as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Bass previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022 and in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, serving as speaker during her final Assembly term.
After attending San Diego State University and California State University, Dominguez Hills, Bass worked as a physician assistant and community organizer, before being elected to represent California's 47th State Assembly district in 2004. In 2008, she was elected to serve as the 67th speaker of the California State Assembly, becoming the first African-American woman in United States history to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body.
Bass was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. She represented California's 33rd congressional district during her first term; redistricting moved her to the 37th district in 2012. She chaired the Congressional Black Caucus during the 116th Congress. After winning the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, Bass became the first woman to serve as mayor of Los Angeles.