Karen Bass Pitches Second-Term Goal Showing Lights Are Truly Out In LA

Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass identified the installation of solar panel lights as a goal for a possible second term when asked what she wants to accomplish if reelected.

Bass made the comments during a Saturday interview on MS NOW’s “The Weekend” when host Johnathan Capehart asked what she would do in a second term that she was unable to complete in her first. Instead of focusing on affordability or the homeless crisis, Bass immediately pointed to copper wire theft, which she suggested has the effect of knocking out streetlights across the city.

“What are you going to do with a second term that you weren’t able to do in the first?” Capehart asked.

“Well, let me just tell you, complete many of the things I’ve been working on,” Bass said. “For example, we have a terrible problem in L.A. with copper wire theft, which means our streetlights go out all the time.” 

Bass then highlighted that she rolled out a plan to install 60,000 solar lights to move away from copper wiring. 

“We’re installing a couple of hundred a month,” Bass said. 

Bass’s comments come as she seeks reelection after facing scrutiny over her handling of the L.A. wildfires in 2025. She faces a competitive mayoral field which includes Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman and reality television personality Spencer Pratt.