Campaign

Top Bass aide leaves Los Angeles mayoral campaign

A top aide to Rep. Karen Bass’s (D) Los Angeles mayoral campaign has left her position as campaign manager.

A spokesperson for Bass’s mayoral campaign, Anna Bahr, confirmed to The Hill that Jamarah Hayner had left her position as campaign manager and that the campaign appreciated the work she did. The news of Hayner’s departure was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

“This is a long campaign with many different stages. Other candidates in the race have spent years planning their run and building their teams — the Congresswoman got started fresh last fall. It takes time to lock in staff for a year-long campaign,” Bahr said in a statement.
 
“The momentum, energy, and focus of this campaign would not have been possible if not for Jamarah’s leadership during the first half of the race. We are grateful for her work and wish her good luck with her growing consulting firm,” Bahr added.

Bahr also confirmed to The Hill that the executive vice president of progressive nonprofit Liberty Hill Foundation, Jenny Delwood, would be joining Bass’s campaign. Details about the type of position she would be taking on were not immediately clear.

On Feb. 28, Delwood will begin her role with Bass’s mayoral campaign, according to the Times. The two have previously worked together when the California congresswoman was the state Assembly Speaker and Delwood was her district director.

A request for comment was not immediately returned from Hayner to the Times; however, the newspaper noted that the top aide had worked on the campaign since its September launch.

The development comes several months before the mayoral primary in June. Bass is among a handful of Democrats seeking the mayoral seat in Los Angeles, others of which include City Councilman Kevin de León, Businessman Rick Caruso, City Attorney Mike Feuer and City Councilman Joe Buscaino.

A survey conducted by the Times and UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies last week found that Bass was the leading contender within the race; however, a notable portion of voters still remain undecided. 

The Hill has reached out to Attore & Associates, where Hayner works as a strategic partner, for comment.

Updated: 8:22 p.m. ET