Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is making a significant change to her reelection campaign leadership, bringing in Julie Chávez Rodríguez, a former campaign manager for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, to replace outgoing strategist Doug Herman.
Herman, who helped Bass secure victory in 2022 and had been with her campaign since 2021, announced his departure shortly before the upcoming November runoff election against Councilwoman Nithya Raman. The reasons for Herman's exit were not publicly disclosed by the campaign, but its swift replacement suggests a strategic shift.
Rodríguez, who also served as a senior adviser to President Biden, brings extensive experience from national Democratic campaigns. She previously led Latino outreach for Biden's 2020 presidential bid and worked for then-Senator Harris. Her background includes roles in the Obama administration and the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Rodríguez is also the granddaughter of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
Political strategist Matt Klink commented on the change, suggesting it indicates Bass's campaign is concerned about the upcoming general election. "Mayor Bass essentially replaced a team of professionals that worked with Barack Obama for one that worked with Kamala Harris — not a good trade in my opinion," Klink stated. He added that the term "strategic differences" for Herman's departure could signify underlying campaign anxieties.
Bass secured the top spot in the primary election with 34.3% of the vote, while Raman, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, garnered 29.0%. As neither candidate surpassed 50%, the race advanced to a runoff, a common occurrence under Los Angeles election rules.
The mayoral contest has garnered national attention, partly due to the rise of progressive candidates in local elections and past campaigns that have captured public interest, such as that of Spencer Pratt, who gained a significant online following but did not advance to the runoff.
Herman had previously managed successful campaigns for figures like Barack Obama and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. His departure marks a notable shift in Bass's campaign staff as she navigates a challenging reelection bid.
"Campaign shakeups are part of the fabric of politics, but when they happen in high-profile races, they make a big splash," Klink noted. He concluded that only time will reveal whether the new leadership will guide Bass to victory or if the campaign's challenges reflect deeper issues with the incumbent and voter sentiment.