Multiple candidates have already put their hat in the 2022 race for mayor of Los Angeles as Eric Garcetti gets closer to the end of his second term. Garcetti’s farewell tour may also be cut short, as he was nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to India by President Joe Biden, earlier this year, although he has not yet been confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

“I am honored to accept his nomination to serve in this role,” Garcetti said after being nominated on July 9. “I love Los Angeles and will always be an Angeleno. I want you to know that every day I am your Mayor, I will continue to lead this city like it is my first day on the job, with passion, focus, and determination… and should I be confirmed, I’ll bring this same energy, commitment, and love for this city to my new role and will forge partnerships and connections that will help Los Angeles.”

Regardless of how much longer Garcetti serves as mayor, there will be a new city leader elected in 2022.

Here are the names who have announced their candidacy, listed in alphabetical order by last name.

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass

Rep. Karen Bass, 67, is the most recent to announce their candidacy, doing so this Monday, saying, “With my whole heart, I’m ready. Let’s do this — together. I’m running for mayor.”

Bass grew up in Venice and has served multiple roles in governmental over the past 14 years, including California Speaker and her current role in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bass said she sees “no simple answers” to solve the issue of homelessness, but her experience in government could aid in finding answers.

City Councilman Joe Buscaino

Buscaino is a former LAPD officer and currently representing the 15th district which covers the Los Angeles Harbor and Shoestring district.

“This is a city that welcomed my immigrant parents to its shores, a city that has given my family so much, a city that I have committed my life to,” Buscaino said in a statement. “I believe in this city. I have much more to give to it, and I know we can do better. That’s why I am announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles.”

Like most of the candidates running, Buscaino said would make housing the homeless a priority. Buscaino believes a strong way to end homelessness is to ban encampments and provide housing instead, a plan that has been partially put in motion by the city council already.

City Councilman Kevin De León

De León is currently serving in the Los Angeles City Council, representing the 14th district that covers neighborhoods such as Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and Eagle Rock.

De León was the first Latino in 100 years to serve in the Calfornia State Assembly from 2006-2010, then from 2010 to 2018, De León served in the State Senate before taking Jose Huizar’s seat on the city council in 2020.

De León has also stated that housing the homeless would be his priority as mayor, and is currently proposing that 25,000 homes be built by 2025, while in the city council.

City Attorney Mike Feuer 

Feuer is currently serving as Los Angeles city attorney and has done so since 2013. Before that, Feuer served on the California State Assembly.

One of Feuer’s priorities would be to “reimagine public safety,” and find the “most appropriate roles” for LAPD.

The city attonrney also said he would declare a State of Emergency on homelessness and expedite the construction of temporary housing.

CCA CEO Jessica Lall

Lall is the CEO of the Central City Association of Los Angeles and worked with former Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa.

One of Lall’s priorities would be to promote policies to help mothers affected by the pandemic by increasing accessibility to caretakers.

Her plan for homelessness would not just be to provide housing, but specialized recovery housing such as recuperative care beds that “help people in mental health crises stabilize.”

If Lall, or any of the women running were to win, they’d be the first woman mayor in Los Angeles history.

Businessman Mel Wilson

Mel Wilson has worked in real estate for more than 40 years and was even drafted by the New York Football Giants in 1976, although he did not play.

“I am running for Mayor to fight For A Better LA,” Wilson said. “I’m not afraid of hard work and know what it takes to get the job done.”

Wilson has been critical of the current council’s management of homelessness and has shown open support for COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Others in Consideration

Businessman Rick Caruso has expressed interest in running for mayor, although he has not announced his candidacy. In February, Caruso created a Twitter account called Rick Caruso L.A., but has no information posted other than a brief biography. Former LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner has also been rumored to have interest in running and did so in 2012, suspending his campaign, a year in.

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