Election 2022: LA Elects Karen Bass as Mayor

Horvath Elected in Board of Supervisors Race, Park in CD11

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

When it comes to local politics in the 2022 General Election, in three of the area races that have been called, three women candidates have been elected.

Karen Bass won the Los Angeles mayoral race over Rick Caruso, according to an Associated Press projection first made Wednesday, November 16. The win makes Bass the first woman elected to serve as mayor of LA.

Caruso had an early lead on election night, with the gap shrinking in the following days. Bass took the lead by over 89,000 votes (with 54.84% of the vote) at press time, according to updated election results released Tuesday, November 22, by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

“The people of Los Angeles have sent a clear message: it is time for change and it is time for urgency,” Bass said in a statement November 16. “This is my home and with my whole heart, I’m ready to serve, and my pledge to you is that we will hit the ground running on day one. I am honored and humbled that the people have chosen me to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.”

In her statement, Bass promised to solve homelessness, prevent and respond urgently to crime, pursue affordable housing construction, and more as mayor-elect.

Caruso responded by sharing that his run for mayor was “one of the most rewarding experiences” of his life.

“While we came up short in the count, we made an indelible impact on this city and its people that will last far beyond the campaign trail or Election Day,” according to his statement. “I am so proud of my campaign. We held true to the core values of our family—integrity, honesty and respect for all … Thank you again for your support, optimism and, most importantly, your friendship.”

In the Council District 11 race, Traci Park claimed victory on Thursday, November 17. She had a lead over Erin Darling with 52.03% of the vote at press time, a lead she has maintained since the first results were announced November 8.

CD 11 encompasses Sawtelle, Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Venice and more.

“I am hopeful and excited about the prospect of making real change here on the Westside,” Park said in a statement. “Thank you to the voters of CD11 for placing your trust in me. It is the honor of a lifetime to be given the opportunity to serve my community on the Los Angeles City Council.”

Darling congratulated Park in a conceding statement and wished her “the very best.”

“While the margin’s been tightening, as we’ve been monitoring the votes, my team and I no longer see a path to victory,” he said. “I’d like to congratulate Traci Park—she ran record-setting campaigns in both the primary and this general election.”

In the race for County Supervisor, District 3, Lindsey Horvath declared victory Thursday evening, November 17, over Bob Hertzberg. As of Tuesday’s vote drop, Horvath led by over 28,000—52.97% of the vote.

“I would not be here without the countless women that paved this path for me today,” Horvath said. “Because of them, I will soon become the youngest elected woman to serve on the Board of Supervisors, while maintaining the all-female board that we fought so hard to gain … The significance of this victory is not lost on me.”

Horvath is set to succeed Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who has served the Third District since 2014. The Third District spans from the Westside—Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Topanga Canyon—to the San Fernando Valley and beyond.

With more than 15,000 remaining votes to be processed, the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office is slated to certify the results on December 5.