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

Incumbent Karen Bass faces challenges from tech entrepreneur, reality TV star, and city council member in closely watched contest.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 1:47pm

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is heading into a challenging reelection bid as she continues to face fallout from last year's devastating Palisades Fire and ongoing criticism of City Hall on issues like homelessness and infrastructure. Bass is being challenged by a diverse field of candidates, including tech entrepreneur Adam Miller, reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, and city council member Nithya Raman, a former Bass supporter. The race is unfolding at an unsettled time for the city, with concerns over the cost of living, homelessness, and the slow recovery from the deadly 2025 wildfire.

Why it matters

The Los Angeles mayoral race is a closely watched contest that will have significant implications for the city's future direction on key issues like homelessness, public safety, and disaster response. The winner will lead the nation's second-largest city through a challenging period marked by economic pressures, political divisions, and lingering fallout from a deadly wildfire.

The details

Bass, a first-term Democrat and the first Black woman to hold the post, is facing criticism over her handling of the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed much of the tony seaside neighborhood in January 2025. Reports have shown that drafts of the fire department's after-action report included deletions and revisions intended to soften the failures of city and department officials. Bass has denied allegations that she pushed for changes to the report to shield City Hall from potential legal action. Meanwhile, her challengers are positioning themselves as outsiders who can bring new approaches to long-standing problems like homelessness and infrastructure neglect.

  • The deadline for candidates to enter the contest is Saturday, February 11, 2026.
  • The June 2, 2026 primary election will determine the top two finishers who will advance to the November general election.

The players

Karen Bass

The incumbent mayor of Los Angeles, a first-term Democrat and the first Black woman to hold the post. She is facing a challenging reelection bid amid fallout from the 2025 Palisades Fire and ongoing criticism of City Hall.

Adam Miller

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

Spencer Pratt

A reality TV personality who lost his home in the Palisades Fire and is running as a Republican in the heavily Democratic city.

Nithya Raman

A city council member who was previously a Bass supporter but is now challenging the incumbent mayor.

Rae Huang

A community organizer who has positioned herself to the political left of Bass.

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What they’re saying

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

— Spencer Pratt

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

— Adam Miller

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.