Karen Bass just fired her winning formula

Karen Bass just made the biggest political move of her reelection campaign.This week, Doug Herman, the veteran Democratic strategist who stewarded Bass to City Hall, is out.Julie Chávez Rodríguez, who most recently managed President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign, is in.At first glance, this looks like an ordinary campaign shake-up.It isn’t.Bass did not simply hire a new campaign manager.

Herman built and executed the 2022 strategy that saw Bass defeat Rick Caruso despite being outspent 11 to one. The lead political strategist who carried her into City Hall has exited.That makes this far more than a personnel story.

It is a flashing red light over the Bass campaign.Confident incumbents do not replace the political operation that got them elected because everything is going according to plan.They do it because the old playbook no longer works.In Bass’ case, the reason is obvious.She is no longer running as the promise of change.

She is running as the author of four years of results.That is a brutal campaign to run when the results are Los Angeles.When Bass first ran for mayor, she could promise to tackle homelessness, improve public safety and restore confidence in City Hall.She could campaign as the steady hand, the experienced leader, the alternative to Rick Caruso and the person who would bring competence back to Los Angeles government.Now voters are not judging the promise.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story They are judging the performance.Homelessness remains one of Los Angeles’ defining failures.

Public safety continues to worry residents across the city.The response to devastating wildfires raised serious questions about leadership and preparedness — Bass was out of the coun...