Rapper Snoop Dogg has endorsed candidate Rick Caruso for Los Angeles mayor.
Caruso used to be a Republican and is now a Democrat, but is known as the billionaire developer who constructed the Grove and Americana at Brand shopping areas.
In a recorded Zoom video call, Snoop Dogg endorsed Caruso, a supportive move, which was later confirmed by a member of Caruso’s campaign, per the Los Angeles Times. The story was first reported by Fox LA reporter Elex Michaelson.
On Twitter, Michaelson wrote, “Exclusive: [Rick Caruso] is endorsed by [Snoop Dogg] in the race for L.A. Mayor. In a zoom call, Snoop says Caruso is the ‘real deal’ who has been active in the community for decades. It comes as Caruso is backed by long-time community activist ‘Sweet Alice’ Harris.”
Exclusive: @RickCarusoLA is endorsed by @SnoopDogg in the race for L.A. Mayor.
In a zoom call, Snoop says Caruso is the “real deal” who has been active in the community for decades.
It comes as Caruso is backed by long-time community activist “Sweet Alice” Harris. pic.twitter.com/vN3q18QPWI
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) May 17, 2022
“You got my support,” Snoop Dogg reportedly said in the Zoom call. “We’re a part of whatever you’re a part of, as far as bringing love to the community and keeping people there that were a part of the community.”
Right now, Caruso is in a close election against Representative Karen Bass for the top spot in the race for L.A. mayor. The other main candidate vying for the spot is City Councilmember Kevin de León after two others recently left the race.
Bass has also received support from people from the entertainment industry, such as leaders at companies, as well as famous celebrities, like film director J.J. Abrams, actor and rapper Donald Glover, and Ari Emanuel, the chief executive of Endeavor.
Caruso has other endorsements in his pocket from A-listers, too, such as actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow, music executive Scooter Braun, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, as well as Ted Sarandos of Netflix.
Caruso’s campaign website says he is running for mayor of the city “to put an end to street homelessness, make our communities safer, and clean up corruption.”
“We cannot tolerate the homelessness, crime and corruption that politicians have created for us,” his site reads. “We can end homelessness, We can stop crime. We can end corruption. We can fix LA.”
One of his main campaign issues has been public safety and cutting down on crime in the city. His website explains that while he was President of the Police Commission, he “cut crime, fought corruption and stood up to political pressure to force real reform.”
He also says he came into the position “at a time of great turmoil for the LAPD with the Department operating under a federal consent decree. Caruso restored public trust in the LAPD, especially among Black, Asian and Latino Angelenos.”
He promises to restore the budget of the LAPD, return to community-based policing, and place 1,500 new police officers on the streets. His website also presses people not to defund the police, but rather invest in improving them.
Los Angeles police union, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, also endorsed Caruso in February.
“We believe that the people of Los Angeles and the members of the LAPD agree: Our approach to public safety needs to change. Rick is not a typical politician, and we believe that he can fix L.A.,” Lt. Craig Lally, the union president, said in a news release distributed by the Caruso campaign.
Caruso was unanimously chosen by the group’s political action committee and board of directors.
“I’m deeply grateful to have the support of the front-line police officers in the city. We cannot reduce crime in L.A. without their contributions,” Caruso noted in a statement. “I have deep respect for the city’s labor unions and look forward to working with them as mayor.”