Nicole Shanahan Backs Effort to Recall Karen Bass

Recall Effort Against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Gathers Momentum with Financial Backing from Nicole Shanahan

A significant political movement has emerged in Los Angeles, focusing on the potential recall of Mayor Karen Bass, spurred by dissatisfaction over her leadership during the recent devastating wildfires in Southern California. This initiative is notably backed by Nicole Shanahan, a prominent figure in American politics who previously served as the running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his presidential campaign last year.

Shanahan’s involvement in the recall effort was recently revealed through the official website of the Recall Karen Bass Committee, where she is identified as the sole major donor supporting the cause. Her financial commitment is crucial, given her substantial wealth, which is estimated to be around $1 billion, primarily amassed from her divorce settlement with Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google. Until now, Shanahan has demonstrated her willingness to invest heavily in political causes, having contributed over $15 million to support Kennedy’s presidential bid.

Mayor Bass has faced considerable scrutiny regarding her response to the catastrophic wildfires that wreaked havoc on the region back in January, leading to the destruction of thousands of homes while the city’s fire hydrants were reportedly out of water. Additionally, she faced backlash for being out of the country at the time when the fires erupted, raising concerns over her leadership during crises.

While the movement to recall Bass is gaining traction, those spearheading the effort must navigate numerous challenges. The campaign must first gain state approval, and subsequently, organizers will need to gather 330,282 valid signatures from Los Angeles voters to place the recall question on the ballot. Shanahan has indicated that achieving this goal could require an investment of $4 million to collect approximately 400,000 signatures, anticipating some buffer to account for invalid responses.

Historically, attempts to recall elected officials in Los Angeles have faced significant obstacles. Notably, a high-profile effort to recall George Gascón, the then-district attorney, in 2022 fell short of gathering the necessary signatures to bring the issue to a vote. Similar initiatives aimed at recalling city council members have also failed in the past few years. Political analyst Jessica Levinson from Loyola Law School noted that recalls are inherently difficult, as they require a significant catalyst or crisis to ignite public support for the removal of an elected official.

The last successful recall election in Los Angeles occurred in 1979, with the most recent one to even make it to the ballot happening in 1984, highlighting the rarity of such political endeavors in the city’s history.

In response to this developing situation, Doug Herman, a strategist working for Mayor Bass, dismissed the recall effort as a politically motivated tactic designed to sow division within the community at a time when unity and focus should be directed toward recovery and rebuilding efforts. He emphasized that the financial resources and energy dedicated to the recall could be better utilized to assist those affected by the fires.

Shanahan’s participation in the recall campaign may serve to position Mayor Bass’s opposition as predominantly right-wing, particularly considering the unpopularity of President Trump and his allies within Los Angeles, despite a noticeable shift toward Republican values in recent elections. Previously a Democrat, Shanahan has become increasingly disenchanted with traditional party politics, expressing conservative viewpoints as she moves away from her previous affiliations.

Fundraising documents for the recall committee cite Sahil Nandwani, a registered Republican from Beverly Hills, as the principal officer. This association could further influence public perception and narrative framing concerning the motives behind the recall initiative.

Having previously served as a member of Congress and in the California State Legislature, Bass was elected mayor in 2022 with endorsements from high-profile figures, including former President Barack Obama. Her political career includes a bid for the vice presidency in 2020, marking her as a significant player in California politics.

Shanahan, while advocating for the recall, has also expressed her ambitions for future political office, specifically eyeing the governor’s seat in California for the 2026 election, when current Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited. In conversations, she has stated her intentions to ensure that the next mayor of Los Angeles is someone capable of fostering recovery and reconstruction.

The backdrop of California’s political climate, coupled with the urgency of addressing the aftermath of the wildfires, has set the stage for this unfolding political drama. The outcome of the recall effort remains uncertain, but it is clear that the upcoming months will be pivotal in shaping the political landscape of Los Angeles.