Biden, Harris endorse Rep. Karen Bass in LA mayor’s race

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD
AP Political Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have endorsed Karen Bass in the race for Los Angeles mayor, cementing the congresswoman’s place as the favorite of the Democratic establishment. The backing from the White House gives Bass a boost over rival Rick Caruso in the contest to lead the nation’s second most populous city. Caruso is a billionaire developer and Republican-turned-Democrat who is running as an outsider. Biden and Harris called Bass a friend and praised her strategies to deal with a homeless crisis and rising crime. Bass could become the first woman to hold the city’s top job, and the second Black person.