Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas this morning endorsed Assembly Speaker Karen Bass to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Diane Watson in representing California’s 33rd Congressional District, including Culver City.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas called Ms. Bass “one of the finest leaders anywhere in California.”
Earlier this morning, Ms. Bass made official what had been widely speculated since Ms. Watson last week revealed her plans l to retire when her fifth two-year term in the House of Representatives expires.
In endorsing the outgoing Speaker Bass, Mr. Ridley-Thomas said:
“Karen’s abundant strengths as a public servant have always been her willingness and desire to listen carefully to the people she serves coupled with her ability to act swiftly, forcefully, and sensitively to meet the needs her diverse constituents.
“She has my full support as she seeks to succeed Congresswoman Diane Watson in the House of Representatives to serve the needs of the people of the 33rd Congressional District.” The Supervisor went on to say: “Karen Bass honed her considerable legislative and political skills in the neighborhoods of South Los Angeles.
“Karen organized local residents to battle against the concentration and proliferation of liquor stores. She mounted vigorous campaigns against motel owners who failed to curb criminal activity at their neighborhood establishments.
“She worked shoulder-to-shoulder with residents to reduce violence and promote strategies and programs to improve the quality of life in South L.A.
“It took a very special person to lead the community coalition that took on those challenges, and many more. But Karen mastered the art of organizing. She summoned the will of the people. She worked to bring about real change and deliver results where it matters most – in the community – where people live and work with their families, friends and neighbors.
“As a state legislator, Karen Bass has been the state's foremost champion for foster children. Most recently, she helped to secure critical support and the vote of the U.C. Regents to help establish a new Martin Luther King Hospital that will deliver urgently needed health and emergency medical services to millions of County residents, ” Mr. Ridley-Thomas added.
L.A. County’s Second District includes the cities of Culver City, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Carson, Lawndale, Gardena, Lynwood, Compton and portions of the city of Los Angeles and unincorporated sections of south and southwest Los Angeles County.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas may be contacted at http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov
