Los Angeles Mayor's Race Heats Up as Challengers Enter

Incumbent Karen Bass faces surprise challenge from City Council member Nithya Raman

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Los Angeles mayor's race is heating up as the filing deadline approaches, with more than three dozen candidates declaring their intent to challenge incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Bass, a nationally known Democrat and former congresswoman, is seeking a second term after leading the city's recovery from the pandemic. However, her approval ratings have taken a hit following a deadly wildfire in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, and she now faces a potential runoff in the fall. Prominent challengers include reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, tech executive Adam Miller, and community organizer Rae Huang. But the surprise entry of City Council member Nithya Raman, a progressive aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, has shaken up the race.

Why it matters

The Los Angeles mayor's race is a high-stakes contest that will shape the city's response to pressing issues like homelessness, housing affordability, and infrastructure. With the city set to host the World Cup this year and the 2028 Olympics, the next mayor will need to navigate a range of challenges, from the city's budget woes to political tensions with the White House. The race has also become a proxy battle between the city's establishment and progressive factions, with Raman's entry forcing local leaders to choose sides.

The details

Mayor Karen Bass, a former physician assistant and longtime LA politician, is seeking a second term after winning decisively in 2022 on a promise to address homelessness. However, her approval ratings have taken a hit following a deadly wildfire in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where a city reservoir was found to be empty and the fire department was underprepared. While initial challengers like billionaire developer Rick Caruso have dropped out, City Council member Nithya Raman's surprise entry has shaken up the race. Raman, a pragmatic progressive aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, has drawn comparisons to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and is seen as a generational contrast to the 72-year-old incumbent.

  • The Los Angeles mayor's race filing deadline was on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • The primary election is set for June 2, 2026.
  • The general election will be held on November 3, 2026, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in June.

The players

Karen Bass

The incumbent mayor of Los Angeles, a nationally known Democrat and former congresswoman who is seeking a second term.

Nithya Raman

A 44-year-old City Council member who entered the mayor's race just before the filing deadline, representing a progressive and generational challenge to the incumbent.

Spencer Pratt

A Republican millennial reality television personality who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades wildfire and is running for mayor.

Adam Miller

A tech executive and founder of an affordable housing nonprofit who is running for mayor.

Rae Huang

A community organizer and progressive advocate for affordable housing who is running for mayor.

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What they’re saying

“Mayor Bass is someone I have deep, deep respect for. She and I share so many values about what matters for Los Angeles. But I do feel like Angelenos have really given us a lot of faith, voted for more taxes to address affordable housing issues, to address homelessness, to address some of our biggest crises, and if we don't show results to them, I think that we will lose them.”

— Nithya Raman, City Council member (Los Angeles Times)

“While I recognize Nithya's contributions to the city, I was caught off-guard by her last-minute maneuver, and I continue to strongly support Mayor Bass. Even when we disagree, I've never doubted Mayor Bass and her long standing commitment to the community.”

— Hugo Soto-Martinez, City Council member (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The primary election is set for June 2, 2026, and the top two candidates will face off in the general election on November 3, 2026, unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in June.

The takeaway

The Los Angeles mayor's race has become a high-stakes battle that will test the city's progressive values and the incumbent mayor's ability to address pressing issues like homelessness, housing affordability, and infrastructure. With a diverse field of challengers and the surprise entry of a progressive City Council member, the race has the potential to reshape the city's political landscape and set the tone for the next four years.