Los Angeles Congresswoman Karen Bass, who also serves as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, is under consideration for selection as Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s running mate.
CBS news first reported the news on Tuesday morning and the news has the congresswoman’s nomination gaining support and momentum.
Bass represents Los Angeles and endorsed Biden early following the California primary elections where it became obvious to most that Biden would become the Democratic party nominee.
Biden has made it no secret that his running mate would be a woman, but the 5-term congresswoman’s name just recently became a name in consideration for the #2 spot on the ballot. The Vice Presidential vetting process has generally been an almost secret process but names, including California Senator Kamal Harris, Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren have been the names most people believed where on former Vice President Biden’s short list.
Bass is not without supporters, both in and out of California; powerful Democrats like House Majority Whip James Clyburn. “Karen Bass would be a big plus … she is a great person in my mind. I work with her every day,” Clyburn told CNN in June when asked about Biden’s vetting process.
Congresswoman Bass is a beloved leader here in Los Angeles, across the state and throughout the nation. Before being elected to the California State Assembly, Bass was the President/Executive Director of Community Coalition, working feverishly on community organizing and being a strong voice for African Americans and the underserved throughout Los Angeles. After being elected to the California State Assembly, she was then elected to the powerful position of California Speaker of the California Assembly and was overwhelmingly elected to congress in 2014.
Bass currently serves as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and has been an outspoken voice for police and justice reform here, locally, as well as nationally, since the murder of George Floyd.
While few really know where Bass is in the vetting process, she certainly has earned consideration. Her leadership skills, her commitment to communities of color and her political savviness are attributes worthy of consideration.
When asked about her being a potential Vice Presidential nominee, the congresswoman would not confirm that she was under consideration, but did say,
“My number one concern right now, is getting the Justice and Police Reform Act passed. Joe Biden has elected to be the next President of the United States and I will do anything and everything I can to support his election and to make sure that he has a successful presidency.”
