Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is not shying away from the challenges of her first term as she seeks re-election, plainly stating, "I haven’t always got it right."
Despite this admission, the first Black woman to hold the city’s top office insists she is the right leader for the struggling metropolis of nearly 4 million, which is set to host the 2028 Olympics.
Her tenure has seen a dip in homicides and a reduction in street homelessness, while homes destroyed in last year's wildfires are being rebuilt, though critics argue the pace is too slow. "There’s more work to do," Bass concedes.
Typically, Los Angeles mayoral races, and even the mayors themselves, often fade into the background against the city’s dominant sports and entertainment industries.
However, this year’s contest has proven different, largely due to the lingering repercussions of the Palisades Fire, the most destructive in the city's history. The blaze ignited while Bass was in Ghana as part of a presidential delegation, a detail not lost on her critics.
Among those who lost their homes in the fire is reality television personality Spencer Pratt, who is now campaigning to unseat the mayor, holding her responsible for the devastation. In a reflection of the evolving political media landscape, Pratt’s campaign has gained significant traction through artificial intelligence-generated videos.
These clips, created by filmmaker Charles Curran and shared by Pratt, depict him as a superhero battling street criminals and Democratic politicians. Pratt, a registered Republican who rose to fame on "The Hills," has even received a nod of approval from President Donald Trump.
Another challenger in the officially nonpartisan race is progressive city council member Nithya Raman, a Democrat who made a last-minute decision to contest her former ally. Unless one candidate secures a majority of the vote in Tuesday's primary, the top two contenders will advance to a general election in November.
Recent polling indicates a tight contest. A University of California, Berkeley, Institute of Governmental Studies poll, co-sponsored by The Los Angeles Times, found Bass, Raman, and Pratt closely grouped, with no candidate holding a statistically significant lead among 1,351 likely voters surveyed between May 19 and May 24.
This precarious position for an incumbent underscores widespread public doubts about her leadership.
On a recent Saturday, Bass appeared relaxed and confident as she dropped off her ballot in a Mid-City neighborhood, greeted by cheering supporters. When asked about Pratt, who has garnered national attention, she dismissed him as a "political dilettante." "He is an entertainer and that’s what he’s doing is entertaining," Bass stated.
She also questioned how Pratt, with Donald Trump's tacit blessing, would fare in a city where fewer than 15% of voters are registered Republicans. Donald Trump secured only 32% of the vote in Los Angeles County two years ago, and a Republican has not been elected mayor since 1997. "This is Los Angeles," Bass affirmed. "This is not a MAGA city."
Diane Mitchell Henry, a registered Democrat and event planner among the crowd, expressed confidence in Bass, citing her extensive government experience. "She knows the heartbeat of Los Angeles," Henry said. "I trust her." With 14 names on the ballot, a November runoff appears highly probable.
Democratic strategist Garry South anticipates Bass will advance on Tuesday, likely alongside Pratt, despite her declining popularity.
South, however, questioned the effectiveness of Pratt's online video campaign in reaching actual voters, noting that the most reliable voters in the state tend to be older, white, affluent homeowners. "Most voters are over 50, pure and simple. You are not going to grab that demographic by posting clever stuff on YouTube and Instagram," South remarked.
The current contest echoes the 2022 race, where Bass defeated billionaire developer Rick Caruso by nearly 10 points after he campaigned on expanding police spending amid concerns over crime and homelessness.
While immediate concerns in Los Angeles revolve around wildfire reconstruction and homelessness, the city also grapples with its long-term future.
Hollywood jobs have been relocating for years to more affordable filming locations, and a downtown renaissance was stifled by extended pandemic closures, leaving many office buildings vacant. The city has consistently struggled with basic services, from paving damaged streets and sidewalks to maintaining streetlights.
The restaurant industry has seen numerous high-profile closures, and the city’s notorious traffic gridlock persists.
Bass was elected in 2022 on promises to tackle the unchecked homeless crisis and rising crime, which included widely reported smash-and-grab robberies.
She has since garnered the support of much of the Democratic establishment, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as powerful labor unions.
Pratt, however, remains critical. "We are not going to have this level of failure in our city for four more years," he told CNBC, adding that the city "is not safe. It’s disgusting. We pay with our money to give needles to drug addicts to overdose in front of kids." R
Raman, for her part, has pledged to accelerate housing construction, revive jobs in the entertainment industry, and improve essential services. Residents are "hungry for a different future for this city — one that is affordable, functional, creative and safe," she stated.
Despite the competition, Bass expressed optimism after casting her vote. "We’re almost to the finish line," she said. "I’m feeling good."
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