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Karen Bass announced a new round of celebrities Monday as she looks to highlight her connections to the entertainment industry in her campaign for LA mayor.
Bass supporters include actors America Ferrera, Kerry Washington and Colman Domingo – all of whom have been involved in Democratic politics nationally in recent years.
Bass is up against Rick Caruso, who has also emphasized his Hollywood connections throughout the campaign, including endorsements for Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry.
Both candidates have vowed to stand up for the film and television industry, which receives $330 million in California tax credits annually. A bill to extend the loan for another five years has been pushed back to next year, meaning the city’s new mayor may have a chance to comment.
In a press release, Bass emphasized her role in creating the tax credit in 2009, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor and Bass was speaker of the state assembly. The first version of the loan distributed $100 million a year through a lottery system.
Bass has also promised to expedite city approvals for new soundstage projects, open city lots to outdoor recording, and encourage more filming in LA neighborhoods.
The Bass Campaign shared a statement from Rosario Dawson, who has previously done so tweeted their support for the congresswoman.
“Karen is the only candidate who shares our democratic values, is committed to the election, and has the experience and track record to address the difficult and complex issues affecting our city,” Dawson said in the statement. “I’ve seen her work firsthand and know how dear she is to Los Angeles; That’s why it inspired me to see so many in the entertainment industry recognizing this and standing behind them.”
Bass also highlighted her family connection to the industry, noting that her grandmother worked as a teacher and entertainer at MGM Studios in the 1930s.
Her campaign provided a long list of other Hollywood endorsements, many of whom previously publicly reported their support for her campaign. These include: Adam Rodriguez, Alfre Woodard, Aloe Blacc, Alyssa Milano, Angela Gibbs, Ava DuVernay, Cedric the Entertainer, Chelsea Handler, Chris Silberman, Connie Britton, Cristela Alonzo, Derek Fisher, Don & Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, D Smoke, Dulé Hill, Issa Rae, Jane Fonda, JJ Abrams & Katie McGrath, John Legend, Ken Jeong, Kym Whitley, Lil Rel Howery, Magic and Cookie Johnson, Marla Gibbs, Norman Lear, Piper Perabo, Robin Thede, Samuel L. and LaTonya Jackson , Steve McKeever, Tracee Ellis Ross and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Caruso has previously touted the support of Ted Sarandos, Evan Spiegel, Scooter Braun, Bryan Lourd, Dana Walden, George Lopez, Sean Bailey and Adam Aron.