Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Endorses Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass’ Congressional Bid

Friday, March 19, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Today the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus announced their support of Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass in her bid for the 33rd Congressional District seat, currently held by the Honorable Diane Watson. Watson announced her retirement last month and subsequently endorsed Bass.

“Congresswoman Diane Watson is a very special representative for the Los Angeles area, but there is only one person I can see to step into her shoes and continue her work, and that is Karen Bass,” said Assemblymember Warren Furutani (D-South Los Angeles County), Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. “Her experience as a grassroots organizer, elected official, and Speaker of the California State Assembly gives her the experience and background to hit the ground running in this critical time in Congress.”

“Karen Bass has been a coalition builder throughout her time in the Assembly,” said Majority Whip Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco). “She has been able to deliver bipartisan results by protecting hundreds of thousands of children from losing their health care, restoring the governor’s cuts to domestic violence programs, and helping Californians prolong their eligibility for continued federal unemployment benefits. It is that type of experience that we need representing our interests in Congress.”

“I am pleased to announce my support of Karen in her bid for Congress,” said Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), Vice Chair of the Caucus. “She has been a true leader who has delivered results and championed change for Californians, and I know that she will continue to act with that same courage and tenacity in Washington.”

“I am honored that the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus has put their support behind me,” said Bass. “I have always taken pride in facilitating positive change and producing results for my constituents and the people of California. It is humbling to receive a unanimous endorsement from such a distinguished group of legislators.” The Caucus’ endorsement marks the first time in recent years that an individual outside of the Asian Pacific Islander community has been unanimously endorsed by its Caucus members.

Bass has received endorsements from Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Controller Wendy Greuel and other elected officials and organizations including EMILY’s list.