Rep. Karen Bass may be launching a bid to become the next mayor of Los Angeles in 2022, according to sources. 

Bass, a high-profile Democrat who represents L.A. in Congress, intends to launch a mayoral campaign, joining a field of candidates, sources said. If Bass enters the race, she would be a formidable competitor, Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, told The Los Angeles Times. Ridley-Thomas described himself as an ally of Bass since 1978.

“Los Angeles is in need of leadership that can bring us together and that can inspire, and I think she is uniquely gifted in that way,” he said. “And it’s what I expect will become rather immediately apparent once she makes her announcement known.”

Bass has also been rumored to be a potential candidate to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the House speaker. She also has been in contention for a U.S. Senate seat. In July 2020, Bass was discussed as a potential running mate then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. 

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Bass is the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, she was a lead negotiator in the recently-ended talks on police reform, Axios reported.

If victorious in a run for L.A. mayor, Bass, 67, would replace outgoing Mayor Eric Garcetti and become the first female mayor in L.A. history.

Bass, who currently represents a district that includes all or parts of South Los Angeles, Mid-City, Culver City, and Palms, would join a field of candidates that include City Atty. Mike Feuer, City Councilman Kevin de León, and Joe Buscaino, business leader Jessica Lall, and real estate broker Mel Wilson.