History of Karen Bass in Timeline
Karen Bass is a prominent American politician and social worker serving as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles since 2022. A Democrat, her political career includes representing California in the U.S. House of Representatives (2011-2022) and the California State Assembly (2004-2010), where she was the first African American woman to serve as Speaker. Prior to her political career, she worked as a physician assistant.
October 3, 1953: Birth of Karen Bass
Karen Ruth Bass was born on October 3, 1953, in Los Angeles, California.
1971: Karen Bass Graduates High School
Karen Bass graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles in 1971.
1971: Karen Bass Begins Studies at San Diego State University
Karen Bass started studying philosophy at San Diego State University in 1971.
1973: Karen Bass Concludes Studies at San Diego State University
Karen Bass concluded her studies in philosophy at San Diego State University in 1973.
1980: Marriage to Jesus Lechuga
Karen Bass married Jesus Lechuga in 1980.
1982: Karen Bass Graduates from USC Keck School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program
In 1982, Karen Bass graduated from the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program.
1986: Divorce from Jesus Lechuga
Karen Bass and Jesus Lechuga divorced in 1986. Despite their separation, they remained committed to co-parenting their daughter and Bass's four stepchildren.
1990: Karen Bass Earns Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences
Karen Bass earned her bachelor of science degree in health sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1990.
2004: Karen Bass Becomes First African-American Woman in the California State Legislature
Upon her inauguration in 2004, Karen Bass became the first and only African-American woman serving in the California State Legislature.
2004: Karen Bass Elected to the California State Assembly
Karen Bass was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004, representing the 47th district. This marked the beginning of her career in state legislature.
2005: Karen Bass Appointed California State Assembly Majority Whip
Speaker Fabian Núñez appointed Karen Bass as the California State Assembly majority whip for the 2005–06 legislative session. During her time as majority whip, Bass also served as vice chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, where she commissioned the first-ever "State of Black California" report.
2006: Karen Bass Re-elected to the California State Assembly
Karen Bass was re-elected to the California State Assembly in 2006.
2006: Death of Daughter and Son-in-Law
Tragically, in 2006, Karen Bass experienced the profound loss of her daughter, Emilia Bass-Lechuga, and son-in-law, Michael Wright, in a car accident.
2007: Fabian Núñez Terms Out, Paving Way for Karen Bass's Speakership
Fabian Núñez's term in the Assembly ended in 2007, positioning Karen Bass as the next-highest-ranking Democrat, which ultimately led to her speakership.
2007: Karen Bass Becomes Majority Floor Leader
Karen Bass was appointed as the majority floor leader for the 2007–08 legislative session by Speaker Fabian Núñez.
February 28, 2008: Karen Bass Elected as Speaker of the California State Assembly
Karen Bass was elected speaker of the California State Assembly on February 28, 2008.
May 13, 2008: Karen Bass Sworn in as Speaker of the California State Assembly
Karen Bass was sworn in as the Speaker of the California State Assembly on May 13, 2008.
2008: Karen Bass Supports Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
Karen Bass was actively involved in President Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, serving as a co-chair of African Americans for Obama in California.
2008: Karen Bass Re-elected to the California State Assembly
Karen Bass was re-elected to the California State Assembly for a second time in 2008. Her term would expire due to term limits.
2008: Karen Bass Becomes First African-American Woman Speaker of a State Legislature
In 2008, Karen Bass was elected as the 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly, marking a historic moment as she became the first African-American woman in U.S. history to hold this position.
June 2009: Karen Bass Faces Criticism for Comments on Conservative Talk Radio
In June 2009, Karen Bass attracted criticism from conservative commentators for her remarks during an interview with Los Angeles Times reporter Patt Morrison. Her comments concerned the influence of conservative talk radio on the Assembly's budget-passing efforts and the pressure faced by Republican lawmakers.
February 18, 2010: Karen Bass Announces Candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives
On February 18, 2010, Karen Bass announced her candidacy for California's 33rd congressional district, following encouragement from retiring Representative Diane Watson. This decision came after Bass became ineligible for re-election to the State Assembly due to term limits.
November 2, 2010: Karen Bass Wins Election to the U.S. House of Representatives
Karen Bass won the election for California's 33rd congressional district with a significant majority, securing over 86% of the vote on November 2, 2010.
2010: Redistricting Renumbers Karen Bass's District
Following the 2010 census, redistricting changed Karen Bass's district from the 33rd to the 37th.
2010: Speech at Scientology Establishment Opening
In 2010, Karen Bass gave a speech at the opening of a Church of Scientology establishment, praising the organization for fighting against inequality.
2010: Karen Bass Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
Karen Bass was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, representing California's 33rd congressional district.
2010: Karen Bass's Time in the California State Assembly Concludes
Karen Bass's term in the California State Assembly ended in 2010 after serving six years, during which she made history as the first African-American woman in the United States to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body.
2010: Karen Bass Receives Profile in Courage Award
Karen Bass, along with Dave Cogdill, Darrell Steinberg, and Michael Villines, received the 2010 Profile in Courage Award for their leadership during budget negotiations and efforts to address a significant financial crisis.
2011: Karen Bass's Tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives Begins
Karen Bass began her service in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011, representing California.
May 2012: Launches Annual Foster Youth Shadow Day
Starting in May 2012, the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, founded by Karen Bass, began hosting an annual Foster Youth Shadow Day. This event brings foster youth to Washington DC to learn about advocating for child welfare system reforms.
2012: Redistricting Moves Karen Bass to California's 37th District
In 2012, redistricting led to Karen Bass representing California's 37th district instead of the 33rd district. She also chaired the Congressional Black Caucus during the 116th Congress.
2012: Karen Bass Wins Re-election in California's 37th District
Karen Bass won re-election in California's 37th district in 2012, running unopposed in the primary and securing 86% of the vote in the general election.
2015: Karen Bass Receives Master's Degree in Social Work
Karen Bass received her master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2015.
2015: Karen Bass Endorses Hillary Clinton for President
Karen Bass endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2015.
2015: Instrumental in Reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act
In 2015, Karen Bass played a key role in reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows African nations to export goods to the U.S. duty-free.
August 3, 2016: Karen Bass Launches Petition for Donald Trump's Psychological Evaluation
On August 3, 2016, Karen Bass initiated a petition calling for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump to undergo a psychological evaluation. She suggested that Trump displayed symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The petition garnered over 37,000 signatures.
2017: Secures Funds to Combat Famine in Africa
In 2017, Karen Bass helped secure nearly $1 billion in funding to address famine in Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan.
February 9, 2018: Passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act
On February 9, 2018, the Family First Prevention Services Act, also known as Family First, was signed into law. Karen Bass's Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth was instrumental in the passage of this act, which aims to reform child welfare systems across the country.
May 2018: Introduction of the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018
In May 2018, Bass, alongside members of the Congressional Black Caucus, introduced the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018. This omnibus legislation aimed to promote upward social mobility for Black families and ensure equal protection under the law.
November 28, 2018: Nancy Pelosi Wins Speakership, Karen Bass Declines Leadership Challenge
After the 2018 elections, some Democrats sought to replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. Karen Bass, their preferred choice, declined the offer and supported Pelosi, who ultimately won the speakership.
2018: Votes in Favor of the First Step Act
In 2018, Karen Bass voted in favor of the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform bill that focuses on rehabilitating prisoners. Her contribution to the bill was a section addressing the practice of shackling women during pregnancy and childbirth.
2018: Public Official of the Year Award
Karen Bass was recognized as the Public Official of the Year in 2018 by the Los Angeles Stonewall Democratic Club.
2019: Karen Bass Begins Term as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Karen Bass started her term as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2019.
2019: Introduction of Legislation to Address Student Loan Debt
In 2019, Karen Bass took significant steps to address the student loan debt crisis. She introduced the Student Loan Fairness Act of 2019, proposing a new "10-10" standard, interest rate caps, and adjustments for living costs. Additionally, she collaborated with Danny Davis to introduce the Financial Aid Fairness for Students (FAFSA) Act. This act sought to repeal a law that presented obstacles for individuals with drug convictions in accessing federal financial aid for higher education.
2019: Vote for the Equality Act
In 2019, Bass demonstrated her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights by voting in favor of the Equality Act. This legislation aimed to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in various sectors, including housing, employment, and education.
July 2020: Considered as Potential Running Mate for Joe Biden
In July 2020, Karen Bass was considered as a potential running mate for Joe Biden, who was the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. She was seen as a bridge-building politician.
November 2020: Considered for Cabinet Positions
In November 2020, Joe Biden considered Karen Bass for the positions of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Secretary of Health and Human Services. Ultimately, he nominated Marcia Fudge and Xavier Becerra for the respective roles.
2020: Criticizes Israel's Annexation Plan, Supports Defense Aid, and Voices Support During Conflict
In 2020, Karen Bass joined over 115 House Democrats in criticizing Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. However, she also co-sponsored a resolution expressing support for defense aid to Israel and voiced her support for Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.
2020: Defense of Past Scientology Remarks
In 2020, a video surfaced of Karen Bass's 2010 speech at the Scientology establishment opening. She defended her past remarks, stating that she had addressed a group with different beliefs and spoken about things most agree with. She also acknowledged the exposure of the Church of Scientology through firsthand accounts.
2020: Co-authorship of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020
In response to the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide protests, Bass and Representative Jerry Nadler co-authored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. This legislation aimed to reform police practices, including restrictions on chokeholds, carotid holds, and no-knock warrants, while also facilitating the prosecution of police officers who violate the law.
September 2021: Collapse of Negotiations on Police Reform Bill
In September 2021, negotiations between Republican and Democratic senators regarding a police reform bill broke down, ultimately failing to pass a divided Senate.
September 27, 2021: Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles
On September 27, 2021, Karen Bass announced her candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles in the 2022 election. Her campaign focused on addressing homelessness and ending encampments.
2021: Karen Bass Concludes Service as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Karen Bass concluded her service as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2021.
September 9, 2022: Burglary of Los Angeles Home
On September 9, 2022, Karen Bass's Los Angeles home was burglarized, resulting in the theft of two firearms. While Bass publicly acknowledged the unsettling nature of the incident, she emphasized that the firearms had been securely stored and no other valuables were taken. This event shook her sense of safety in the city.
December 10, 2022: Sworn in as Mayor of Los Angeles
On December 10, 2022, Karen Bass was officially sworn in as the mayor of Los Angeles, succeeding Eric Garcetti. She was ceremonially sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris the following day.
2022: Karen Bass Becomes Mayor of Los Angeles
In 2022, Karen Bass was elected as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles, making history as the first woman and second Black person to hold the position. Her term began on December 12, 2022.
2022: Elected as Mayor of Los Angeles
In 2022, Karen Bass was elected as the mayor of Los Angeles, becoming the first woman and the second Black person to hold the position. She defeated Rick Caruso, who spent $100 million on his campaign.
2022: Expresses Support for Artsakh and Holds Azerbaijan Accountable
In 2022, in response to the Armenian National Committee of America's endorsement for the Los Angeles mayoral election, Karen Bass stated her commitment to holding Azerbaijan accountable and supporting the people of Artsakh.
2022: Condemns Blockade of the Republic of Artsakh
In 2022, in response to the blockade of the Republic of Artsakh, Karen Bass issued a statement condemning the blockade and calling for an end to the crisis.
June 2023: Signs Order to Expedite Affordable Housing Developments
In June 2023, Mayor Karen Bass signed an order to accelerate the processing of affordable housing developments in Los Angeles.
September 2023: Expresses Support for Demolishing Marina Freeway for Housing
In September 2023, Mayor Karen Bass expressed support for tearing down the Marina Freeway and replacing it with housing.
October 2023: Reverses Stance on Demolishing Marina Freeway
In October 2023, Mayor Karen Bass reversed her stance and expressed opposition to tearing down the Marina Freeway.
February 2024: Seeks to Mandate Affordable Housing in Dodger Stadium Development
In February 2024, Mayor Karen Bass sought to block the LA Dodgers from developing housing on Dodger Stadium parking lots unless they committed to making 25% of the units affordable housing.
April 21, 2024: Break-in at Mayor Bass' Residence
On April 21, 2024, a person broke into Mayor Karen Bass' residence, Getty House. The suspect was apprehended, and the mayor and her family were unharmed.
July 2024: Imposes Restrictions on Fast-Tracking Affordable Housing
In July 2024, Mayor Karen Bass introduced restrictions on fast-tracking affordable housing projects in Los Angeles, making them ineligible in "historic districts" and on lots with rent-controlled apartments. These restrictions followed an earlier change that excluded affordable housing projects in single-family neighborhoods from expedited processing.
July 2024: Sued Over Blocking Affordable Housing in Venice
In July 2024, advocates for low-income housing sued the city of Los Angeles and Mayor Karen Bass for blocking the construction of 140 affordable housing units in Venice. Bass was criticized for allowing local officials to obstruct the project instead of promoting it.