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A bit of over every week after getting into California‘s U.S. Senate race, Rep. Barbara Lee on Wednesday picked up the assist of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, chief of the California’s largest metropolis and one of many state’s most distinguished and influential politicians.
Bass served in Congress with Lee for greater than a decade, and endorsed her former colleague and pal to interchange Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who in February introduced that she would retire on the finish of her present time period, in January 2025. Bass mentioned that Lee’s expertise as a “progressive fighter” in Washington is what the state wants proper now.
“I’ve seen her management firsthand,” Bass mentioned in a tweet. “Her work in a divided authorities to safe billions of dollars in COVID aid for underserved communities is only one instance of the kind of principled and tenacious management she is going to convey to California as our subsequent United States Senator.”
Bass’ determination on whom to assist in what is anticipated to be a hotly contested Senate race was being watched carefully following her victory in L.A.’s race for mayor final 12 months, which elevated her to nationwide prominence as town’s first feminine mayor.
In 2020, Bass joined activists and different politicians in urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to nominate a Black girl to interchange Vice President Kamala Harris, who vacated her California seat within the Senate after her election as President Biden’s operating mate. In an interview with Los Angeles’ Fox 11 affiliate on the time, Bass famous that with Harris’ departure, “there will probably be one African American Democrat, one African American Republican, no African American girls” within the Senate.
“I'll inform you that I do consider that there ought to be an African American girl within the Congress,” Bass mentioned. “I really feel dangerous for the governor. He’s in a heck of a spot. It’s a tricky determination to make.”
Newsom as a substitute chosen then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla to fill the submit, making him the primary Latino politician to symbolize California within the Senate, however the governor promised to nominate a black girl if one other Senate emptiness opened up.
Feinstein plans to stay in workplace via the top of her time period, nonetheless, placing the choice on who ought to succeed her within the fingers of California voters as a substitute of the governor.
When Bass later ran for mayor, Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, had been a daily presence on the marketing campaign path. After Bass received, Harris swore the previous congresswoman in as town’s first feminine mayor and solely its second Black mayor.
Earlier this month, former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who's near Bass — endorsed Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) within the Senate race. Schiff endorsed Bass final 12 months and campaigned by her facet within the last days earlier than November’s election.
Lee trailed Schiff and one other congressional colleague within the Senate race, Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine), in a latest UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Research ballot co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Occasions. The survey was carried out after had Lee mentioned her intent to run however earlier than she formally introduced her bid.
Schiff had the assist of twenty-two% of the registered voters surveyed, in contrast with 20% who backed Porter and 6% who supported Lee. A majority of voters mentioned they hadn’t made up their minds on a candidate, so the race nonetheless has loads of room to shift earlier than the March 2024 main.
Lee mentioned that she was grateful to have Bass’ assist and was excited to work along with her to assist folks dwelling on the sting.
“Mayor Bass’s work to serve Californians — as an Assemblywoman and Congresswoman, and now as Mayor — and to interrupt monumental limitations whereas doing so, has been an inspiration to me and so many others. I’m honored to have her assist of my marketing campaign,” Lee mentioned.
Lee stopped by Los Angeles Metropolis Corridor final Thursday for the ceremonial swearing-in of latest State Controller Malia Cohen. Standing within the rotunda foyer, she was requested concerning the prospects of her candidacy.
“I simply launched my marketing campaign two days in the past,” Lee mentioned, including that she felt “positive” concerning the race.
She famous that she’s an alumni of San Fernando Excessive College and mentioned that she’d be campaigning for votes throughout the state over the subsequent 12 months.
“I’m going for votes in all places,” Lee mentioned.
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