History of Karen Bass in Timeline
Karen Bass is an American politician currently serving as the mayor of Los Angeles since 2022. As a member of the Democratic Party, her career includes serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022, and in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, culminating in her role as speaker. Before entering politics, Bass worked as a physician assistant. Her political career showcases a commitment to public service and leadership within both state and federal government.
October 3, 1953: Karen Bass Born
On October 3, 1953, Karen Ruth Bass was born.
1971: Attended San Diego State University
In 1971, Karen Bass began studying philosophy at San Diego State University.
1971: Graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School
In 1971, Karen Bass graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School.
1973: Left San Diego State University
In 1973, Karen Bass stopped attending San Diego State University.
1980: Marriage to Jesus Lechuga
In 1980, Karen Bass married Jesus Lechuga.
1982: Graduated from Keck School of Medicine
In 1982, Karen Bass graduated from the Keck School of Medicine of USC Physician Assistant Program.
1986: Divorce from Jesus Lechuga
In 1986, Karen Bass divorced Jesus Lechuga. They jointly raised their daughter and her siblings.
1990: Earned Bachelor of Science
In 1990, Karen Bass earned a Bachelor of Science in health sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
2004: Elected to California State Assembly
In 2004, Karen Bass was elected to represent California's 47th Assembly district, becoming the only African-American woman in the state legislature at her inauguration.
2006: Re-elected to California State Assembly
In 2006, Karen Bass was re-elected to the California State Assembly.
2006: Death of daughter and son-in-law
In 2006, Karen Bass's daughter, Emilia Bass-Lechuga, and son-in-law, Michael Wright, were killed in a car crash.
2007: Núñez termed out of the Assembly
At the end of the 2007-08 session, Nunez termed out of the Assembly, which left Bass as the next-highest-ranking Democrat in the Assembly
February 28, 2008: Elected as Speaker of the California State Assembly
On February 28, 2008, Karen Bass was elected speaker of the California State Assembly after consolidating support from a majority of legislators.
May 13, 2008: Sworn in as Speaker of the California State Assembly
On May 13, 2008, Karen Bass was officially sworn in as the speaker of the California State Assembly.
2008: Re-elected to California State Assembly
In 2008, Karen Bass was re-elected to the California State Assembly before her term limit expired.
June 2009: Criticism over statements about conservative talk radio
In June 2009, Karen Bass faced criticism for statements made during an interview regarding the impact of conservative talk radio on the Assembly's budget efforts.
February 18, 2010: Confirmed candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives
On February 18, 2010, Karen Bass confirmed her candidacy to represent California's 33rd congressional district, after Representative Diane Watson retired.
November 2, 2010: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
On November 2, 2010, Karen Bass was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with over 86% of the vote.
May 2012: First Foster Youth Shadow Day
Starting in May 2012, the Caucus began hosting an annual Foster Youth Shadow Day, during which foster youth come to Washington, DC, for a week to learn about advocating for reforms to the child welfare system.
2015: Reauthorization of AGOA
In 2015, Karen Bass was instrumental in reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which enables African nations to export goods to the U.S. duty-free.
August 3, 2016: Launched petition to have Donald Trump evaluated
On August 3, 2016, Karen Bass launched a petition to have then-candidate Donald Trump psychologically evaluated, suggesting he exhibited symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder.
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 as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act, an achievement of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth which Bass founded.
May 2018: Introduction of the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018
In May 2018, Karen Bass and members of the Congressional Black Caucus introduced the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018, omnibus legislation that would increase Black families' upward social mobility and help ensure equal protection under the law.
November 28, 2018: Pelosi Won Speakership
On November 28, 2018, Nancy Pelosi won the speakership on a 203-to-32 vote.
2018: Vote in favor of the First Step Act
In 2018, Karen Bass voted in favor of the First Step Act, contributing a section addressing the practice of shackling women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
2018: Public Official of the Year Award
In 2018, the Los Angeles Stonewall Democratic Club named Karen Bass its Public Official of the Year.
2019: Introduction of legislation to address student loan debt
In 2019, Karen Bass introduced two pieces of legislation to address student loan debt: The Student Loan Fairness Act and the Financial Aid Fairness for Students (FAFSA) Act.
2019: Vote in favor of the Equality Act
In 2019, Karen Bass voted in favor of the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing, employment, education, credit and financing, and more.
2020: Co-authorship of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, Karen Bass co-authored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 with Representative Jerry Nadler.
September 2021: Collapse of negotiations on police reform bill
In September 2021, negotiations between Republican and Democratic senators on a reform bill collapsed, impacting the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
September 9, 2022: Home Burglarized
On September 9, 2022, Karen Bass's Los Angeles home was burglarized, and two firearms were stolen.
December 10, 2022: Officially sworn in as Mayor of Los Angeles
On December 10, 2022, Karen Bass was officially sworn in as the Mayor of Los Angeles by the Los Angeles City Clerk.
2022: Response to blockade of Republic of Artsakh
In 2022, Karen Bass responded to the 2022 blockade of the Republic of Artsakh, stating support for ending the blockade and demanding action in a joint letter to President Joe Biden.
2022: Response to ANCA endorsement
In 2022, in response to the Armenian National Committee of America's endorsement for the Los Angeles mayoral election, Karen Bass stated she has worked to hold Azerbaijan accountable and support the people of Artsakh.
April 21, 2024: Break-in at Mayor Bass' Residence
On April 21, 2024, a person broke a window and entered Mayor Bass' residence. The mayor and her family were unharmed, and the suspect was apprehended.
June 2024: Budget cuts from fire department
In June 2024, after the cuts made in the annual budget from June 2024, $53 million was later approved by the city for pay raises for firefighters and another $58 million was approved for new firetrucks and equipment in November.
July 2024: Imposed Restrictions on Affordable Housing
In July 2024, Karen Bass imposed further restrictions on affordable housing, making them ineligible for fast-tracking in "historic districts" and on lots that already have rent-controlled apartments.
July 2024: Housing Advocates Sued the City of Los Angeles
In July 2024, advocates for low-income housing sued the city of Los Angeles for blocking the construction of 140 units of affordable housing in Venice. They faulted Bass for allowing local officials to block the housing rather than directing city officials to advance the project. The Los Angeles Times editorial board criticized Bass for her role in blocking the housing development.
December 2024: Warning of budget reduction impact
In December 2024, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley warned that the $17.6 million budget reduction approved by Karen Bass had reduced the department's emergency response capabilities against events like wildfires, highlighting a reduction from the department's overtime budget.
January 2025: Attended Inauguration in Ghana During Wildfires
In January 2025, Karen Bass attended the inauguration of John Mahama in Ghana during the Southern California wildfires, leading to criticism regarding her absence during the crisis. Developer Rick Caruso criticized the lack of fire preparation by the city.
