U.S. Rep. Karen Bass of California defeated billionaire Rick Caruso in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
“The results are in, and it is the honor of my life to be elected as your mayor,” Bass said in an email to supporters, according to the Los Angeles Times. “It’s time to house people immediately, increase safety and opportunity in every neighborhood, and create a new standard of ethics and accountability at City Hall.”
Bass, a California Democrat who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than a decade, will be the first woman to serve as mayor of the city. Caruso, who describes himself on Twitter as a “Businessman & Philanthropist,” announced earlier this year that he was registering as a Democrat. The Los Angeles mayoral contest is nonpartisan.
“I’m proud of the work we did to engage long-neglected communities, giving a voice to the unheard, and to the light we shined on the biggest challenges facing our great city,” Caruso noted in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times. “There will be more to come from the movement we built, but for now, as a city we need to unite around Mayor-elect Bass and give her the support she needs to tackle the many issues we face. Congratulations, Karen, and God-speed.”
Celebrities, including A-list actor Chris Pratt, business magnate Elon Musk, and singer Katy Perry, had expressed support for Caruso in the mayoral contest.
Pratt endorsed Caruso earlier this month, urging people to vote for the candidate: “I don’t normally support political candidates. But in this election, there’s too much to lose,” Pratt posted on an Instagram story, according to Fox News. “If you’re an LA voter, I urge you to vote for @rickcarusola. He’s a builder. He knows how to get s**t done. He’s the guy for our city. Rick Caruso for LA Mayor.”
Perry posted a photo of herself giving a thumbs up to the camera while voting for Caruso — she also included the hashtag, “#letsgocaruso.”
Musk backed Caruso earlier this year, tweeting, “Los Angeles is fortunate to have someone like Rick Caruso running for mayor. He’s awesome.”