Los Angeles Mayor's Race Heats Up Amid Homelessness, Wildfire Fallout

Incumbent Karen Bass faces challenges from tech entrepreneur, reality TV star, and community organizer in closely watched contest

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is heading into a challenging reelection bid as she continues to face fallout from a devastating 2025 wildfire and ongoing criticism of City Hall on issues like homelessness and infrastructure. Bass, the first Black woman to hold the post, is being challenged by tech entrepreneur Adam Miller, reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, and community organizer Rae Huang. The race is unfolding at an unsettled time for the city, with complaints about the cost of living, dirty streets, and the slow pace of recovery from the deadly Palisades Fire.

Why it matters

The Los Angeles mayoral race is a closely watched contest that will shape the city's response to pressing issues like homelessness, public safety, and disaster recovery. Bass' handling of the Palisades Fire aftermath has drawn scrutiny, while challengers are positioning themselves as outsiders who can bring new approaches to City Hall.

The details

Mayor Bass has faced criticism over her actions during and after the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed much of the tony seaside neighborhood in January 2025. Reports show that drafts of the Los Angeles Fire Department's after-action report included deletions and revisions intended to soften the failures of city and department officials. Bass' office has denied allegations that she pushed for changes to shield City Hall from potential legal action. Meanwhile, challenger Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in the fire, has said "we don't need more government programs" and that "we need common sense, accountability, and a mayor that shows up for everyone."

  • The Palisades Fire occurred in January 2025.
  • In October 2025, a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with sparking the earlier fire that led to the deadly Palisades blaze.
  • The deadline for candidates to enter the Los Angeles mayoral race is Saturday, ahead of the June 2 primary election.

The players

Karen Bass

The incumbent Los Angeles mayor, a first-term Democrat and the first Black woman to hold the post.

Adam Miller

A tech entrepreneur and nonprofit founder who is running as an outsider challenger to Bass.

Spencer Pratt

A reality television personality who lost his home in the 2025 Palisades Fire and is also running for mayor.

Rae Huang

A community organizer who is running against Bass in the mayoral race.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Even in this difficult chapter in our history, great events, moments of unity, are possible. And they are coming.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

“We don't need more government programs. We need common sense, accountability, and a mayor that shows up for everyone.”

— Spencer Pratt (Spencer Pratt's website)

“Los Angeles has extraordinary potential but too often City Hall hasn't been there for the people who call it home.”

— Adam Miller, Mayoral Candidate

What’s next

The top two finishers in the June 2 primary election will advance to the November general election.

The takeaway

The Los Angeles mayoral race is shaping up to be a closely watched contest that will test the incumbent mayor's handling of high-profile issues like the Palisades Fire aftermath and homelessness, while challengers position themselves as outsiders who can bring new approaches to City Hall.