The Surprising, Cut-Throat Race for Los Angeles Mayor
Karen Bass is fighting for her political life as progressives battle to lead the US’s second-largest city
TL;DR
- Mayor Karen Bass is facing a difficult re-election campaign for her second term in Los Angeles.
- Her opponent, city council member Nithya Raman, has launched a surprise challenge, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
- Recent polls show Bass trailing Raman, despite Los Angeles being a heavily Democratic city.
- The race is characterized by a battle between progressive wings of the Democratic party.
- Key issues include dissatisfaction with the city's direction, homelessness, and housing affordability.
- Both candidates have similar fundraising amounts, and both are actively campaigning across the city.
- Bass's past political career includes service in Sacramento and Washington.
- Raman, a progressive urban planner, previously defeated an incumbent backed by national Democratic figures.
- Spencer Pratt, a reality TV star, also ran in the primary, criticizing Bass's handling of city issues and receiving an endorsement from Donald Trump.