(SACRAMENTO) – In an unprecedented early endorsement that shows working families support strong Congressional leadership to advance health care reform, immigration reform, and economic security for our families, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California today endorsed Assembly Speaker Karen Bass in her race to replace Democrat Diane Watson as Congresswoman from California’s 33rd district.  

“As SEIU California fights to rebuild our economy, drive our state’s fiscal recovery, and invest in our children’s future, we know that Karen Bass will be the partner working families need in the nation’s capitol.   We need a health care system our families can count on, immigration reform that respects the dignity of work, and economic security in our elder years.  Karen Bass is well-qualified to be our voice in Washington, because she’s been tenacious in her leadership for our families in California,” said SEIU California President Bill A. Lloyd.

SEIU California announced the unexpected early endorsement today, just days after Bass announced she would run to replace Watson, who is stepping aside after serving the 33rd district for nearly 10 years.  The 33rd Congressional District includes Culver City, portions of the City of Los Angeles, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

“Speaker Bass has fought hard for the work we do and the low-income seniors and disabled we care for by taking a program that was slated for complete elimination and keeping it alive,” said Shaneisha Robinson, an in-home caregiver and member of SEIU-ULTCW.  “We are not out of the woods yet, but she has given us the hope to keep fighting to protect the vital services we provide and the people who rely on us each and every day. That’s why I’m proud to say that Speaker Bass has my support for Congress."  

“Electing Speaker Karen Bass is a top priority for SEIU California, and a fitting tribute to Congresswoman Watson’s legacy as a pioneering African American leader and a dear friend of working families,” said Lloyd. “We thank Congresswoman Watson for her lifetime of devoted public service, and wish her well as she enters a new chapter in her life.”


SEIU California is a coalition of over 700,000 janitors, social workers, security officers, home care workers, school and university employees, healthcare workers, and city, county and state employees represented by SEIU local unions throughout California. We come together to build a better California by fighting to pass policies and elect candidates that benefit working families and advance the issues we care about: affordable healthcare, good wages, retirement security for all, a healthy environment, good schools and universities, and stronger communities. We believe that by working together we can build a California where working families can thrive again.