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Los Angeles voters weigh Karen Bass against Nithya Raman in mayoral race

Associated Press reports that Mayor Karen Bass faces fallout from the 2025 Palisades Fire as she contests the seat with council member Nithya Raman.

The short version

  • Los Angeles voters are weighing Tuesday whether to keep Mayor Karen Bass or elect council member Nithya Raman, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.[Associated Press]
  • Bass faces continued fallout from the 2025 Palisades Fire, while Raman argues the city cannot afford another four years of decline and mismanagement.[Associated Press]
  • Bass says she has made enough progress for another term, but data show nearly half of people brought into shelters dropped out of the system.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • Mayor Karen Bass faces council member Nithya Raman, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, in the Los Angeles mayoral race.[Associated Press]
  • Bass continues to face fallout from the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire, which became the most destructive blaze in city history.[Associated Press]
  • Bass is backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with nearly every city council member.[Associated Press]
  • Billionaire developer Rick Caruso said he was voting for Bass but stopped short of formally endorsing her.[Associated Press]
  • Spencer Pratt, a Republican, won about a quarter of the primary vote but did not advance to the November election.[Associated Press]
  • Data show nearly half of people brought into shelter dropped out of the system, presumably returning to the streets.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The outcome of Tuesday's election is not yet known.[Associated Press]
  • Bass and Raman dispute each other's readiness and policy views; Bass has called Raman's views on policing and homelessness extreme.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.