A week and a day after voters headed to the polls in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, the Los Angeles mayoral race has been called for Congresswoman Karen Bass. After a fierce race against candidate Rick Caruso – which saw the billionaire property developer spend more than $100 million of his own money on his campaign – Bass is set to become the first black woman, and indeed the first woman, to rule America’s second largest city.
The race was notable for how it divided Hollywood, with stars and moguls taking sides in support of their favorite candidate, each having entered the race as a Democrat. (Caruso switched parties before his run for mayor of Los Angeles.)
Concerns about homelessness and crime dominated the race, as did abortion rights, with Bass supporters pointing to Caruso’s past political contributions to pro-life Republican politicians.
Bass, whose run was called by the media as his lead rose to 53% today from 47% for Caruso, had been backed by entertainment industry supporters including Jeffrey Katzenberg, Norman Lear, Tiffany Haddish, Mark Hamill, Yvette Nicole Brown and Rosario Dawson.
Caruso, for his part, may have attracted even more high-profile Hollywood support with backers including Chris Pratt, Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, Scooter Braun, Paris Hilton, Mario Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian and Snoop Dogg. . Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos even penned an impassioned letter in support of Caruso’s candidacy that ran like a commercial in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
With the race now called for Bass, a number of Hollywood names weigh in, most of them Bass supporters delighted with his victory, and a few of them commenting on the $100 million Caruso has spent in his ultimately losing bid.
“Congratulations to our elected mayor! Bass supporter John Legend posted, adding, “Angelenos has chosen someone who has dedicated their life to helping their community become healthier, safer and fairer.”
Garcelle Beauvais added on Twitter, “It’s historic!!” Additionally, Kerry Washington posted the news to her Instagram Stories and added three cheering emojis.
And in a sign that the division that arose during the campaign has barely cooled, Crooked Media podcaster and TV writer Erin Ryan tweeted: Against hate and then backing @RickCaruso for mayor. We see you!”
More reactions to the decision are below.