Bernie rallies for Bass in neck-and-neck mayoral race

Hundreds gathered blocks away from Loyola Marymount University to show support for Karen Bass and democrats up and down the ballot.

By Isaac Dektor, Editor-in-Chief

Senator Bernie Sanders takes the stage at Karen Bass' mayoral rally in Central Park at Playa Vista, Los Angeles, on October 27, 2022. Sanders showed up in support of Bass at the rally and took to the podium with a speech bashing billionaires for making record profits while the working class struggles. (Griffin O'Rourke | Valley Star)

A consortium of young, working-class and liberal voters turned out at Central Park in Playa Vista on Thursday amid national headwinds in a show of support for Karen Bass’ mayoral campaign against billionaire Rick Caruso.

The event came 12 days before the last day to cast a ballot. Located just blocks away from Loyola Marymount University, messaging was directed at young voters, focusing on topics threats to democracy, the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The speakers emphasized Bass’ experience in public service and criticized the nascent democrat Caruso on his record.

“If we don’t win this election, we will return to failed solutions,” said Bass. “With me, what you see is what you get – a lifelong pro choice democrat who has always been on your side.”

With homelessness being a key issue for LA elections up and down the ballot, the congresswomen often brought up her opponent's career as a real estate developer.

“It’s a con,” she said. “A developer who has never built a unit of affordable housing, and now we’re supposed to believe he’s gonna solve homelessness?”

While Caruso has outspent Bass eight to one using his own personal fortune amassed through developing open-air shopping centers such as the Grove, the congresswomen has been endorsed by many notable democrats. Her campaign released a video endorsement from former president Barack Obama over the weekend.

Bernie Sanders took the stage at 8 p.m. and was received like a rockstar, with the crowd enthusiastically chanting “Bernie!” for a full minute.

The senator delivered his greatest hits; he railed against corporate greed, prescription drug prices, the threats to a women’s right to choose.

“These greedy bastards on top are taking advantage of all of us,” said Sanders. “They are using this moment to increase their own profits!”

The independent from Vermont denounced corporate price increases amid rising profits during the pandemic, which led to over half of the inflation in the U.S. according to an Economic Policy Institute study conducted by Josh Bivens.

James Matthews, a member of Carpenters for Karen Bass, supported Sanders in his 2020 presidential bid and supports Bass because of economic positions. Southwest Carpenters endorsed the congresswomen in June.

“She works quite a bit for the working class,” said Matthews as he and his fellow carpenters held their spots close to the stage. “Key issues in this race are jobs, wages and benefits.”

Bass strongly believes in providing unconditional housing provisions to people experiencing homelessness, an approach called “housing first,” as a solution to the worsening crisis. Caruso’s plan involves building 30,000 temporary shelters and declaring a local state of emergency.

Erick Juarez, a UCLA resident physician and member of the Committee of Interns and Residents, recently moved to the city and supports the congresswomen.

“Her plans are a lot more realistic in terms of getting people into homes,” said Juarez.

Former Gov. Jerry Brown declared California a housing first state in 2016, and the LA board of supervisors did the same for the county earlier this year. Those who oppose “housing first” argue the policy would create an incentive structure that people could take advantage of.

The last day to cast an in-person ballot is Nov. 8.