Kim Kardashian endorsed pro-police and former Republican Rick Caruso in the race for Mayor of Los Angeles.
In an Instagram story posted Friday afternoon, the celebrity socialite, model, and television personality, who has previously advocated for criminal justice reform, endorsed the pro-police mayoral candidate, telling her more than 313 million followers that Caruso could help Angelenos deal with the epidemics of crime and rampant street homelessness in the city.
“So, I recently met with Rick Caruso, who is running for mayor in Los Angeles, and I don’t typically endorse anyone in politics, ’cause I just really have never been about the politics,” Kardashian said. “But when it comes to my hometown, and I feel like there’s people that can really make a difference… I know the election’s coming up, and I just wanted to share my thoughts on Rick Caruso. I think that he really can help with the crime in our city, which is such a big issue, and super scary, but also the homeless issue. It’s such a problem, and I think that, with him, he can offer a better path to a better life for people that are homeless in California and Los Angeles, and I just, you know, I really believe in what he stands for, and I was super inspired by him and I really believe in him. So if you guys are out voting, Rick Caruso is my choice, and I really believe that he will make a difference, and that gives me hope.”
Kardashian also urged her followers to use their “voices” and “power” to vote.
Caruso responded to the video on his Twitter account Friday evening. “Kim, it was a privilege to speak with you and your family about the policies I intend to implement as mayor,” Caruso tweeted. “We must do better. This is our hometown, and we need to care for our city and her people. Thank you for your confidence. I won’t let you down. #CarusoCan.”
Kim, it was a privilege to speak with you and your family about the policies I intend to implement as mayor. We must do better. This is our hometown, and we need to care for our city and her people. Thank you for your confidence. I won’t let you down. #CarusoCan pic.twitter.com/EOYIksKf9l
— Rick J. Caruso (@RickCarusoLA) May 28, 2022
Kardashian’s endorsement comes just days after her mother, Kris Jenner, also endorsed Caruso in the mayoral race.
“Thanks for coming by the office, Rick, and for telling me all about your plans for LA!” Jenner wrote in an Instagram caption Tuesday. “I’ve known @rickcarusola for a long time. He is an amazing father, businessman and philanthropist and has a great love for Los Angeles. I love this city and I want to see it thrive! I support Rick Caruso as he runs for Mayor of Los Angeles. There is no better choice!”
Other celebrities and entertainment industry leaders, including actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, and Snoop Dogg have all endorsed Caruso, as well as former L.A. Police Chiefs Charlie Beck and William Bratton.
Caruso’s website highlights crime and homelessness as his central campaign issues. “We cannot tolerate the homelessness, crime and corruption that politicians have created for us. We can end homelessness, We can stop crime. We can end corruption. We can fix LA,” the website reads.
On his website, he promises to increase police funding, restore community-based policing, and put 1,500 new police officers on the streets.
Caruso is a former Republican who switched his party affiliation to Independent in 2011, back to Republican in 2016, then again to Independent in 2019, and finally to the Democratic Party in January of this year. He sits on the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Institute and Foundation, and was President of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners from 2001 to 2006.
Correction: This article has been updated to accurately reflect Caruso’s party affiliations over the years.