Villaraigosa endorses Karen Bass for Congress


Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorsed State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass for Congress Wednesday, saying he believed she would fully represent the city of Los Angeles on the national level, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“We need representation in Congress that understands the needs of this city, the complexities of this city, the diversities of this city,” Villaraigosa said in a statement.

Bass is running to replace current Rep. Diane Watson, who is retiring at the end of her term, in the House of Representatives. If elected, Bass would represent California’s 33rd District, which is considered overwhelmingly Democratic and one of the most racially diverse in the state.

Villaraigosa told the Times that Bass was capable of handling the diverse community and has a track record of enabling political cooperation.

“No one that I know truly understands those complexities, the diversity, the need for a fair share of resources like Karen Bass,’’ Villaraigosa said.

Considered a favorite for the seat — with endorsements from Watson and LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas — Bass was the first African-American woman to serve as state assembly speaker.

“Karen’s abundant strengths as a public servant have always been her willingness and desire to listen carefully to the people she serves, couples with her ability to act swiftly, forcefully and sensitively to meet the needs (of) her diverse constituents,” Ridley-Thomas told Fox News.