LA Mayor Faces Challenge from the Left

City Councilwoman Nithya Raman declares candidacy, posing threat to Mayor Karen Bass's re-election

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a former state legislator and U.S. Representative, is facing a challenge from the left in her bid for re-election. City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, one of the council's most progressive members, has declared her candidacy just hours before the filing deadline. Raman's entry into the race comes after several potential heavyweight opponents, including businessman Rick Caruso and former LA schools superintendent Austin Beutner, decided against challenging Bass. The mayoral race could become the most interesting and important contest of the year, as Bass faces scrutiny over her handling of the city's recent wildfires.

Why it matters

The Los Angeles mayoral race is a microcosm of the broader political shifts in California, with the city's transition from a semi-conservative political orientation to a blue bastion in the 1990s being a major factor in the state's overall leftward drift. The issues facing the next LA mayor, such as housing costs, homelessness, water supply, and wildfires, are also key challenges for the next California governor. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the direction of the state's largest city and its influence on statewide politics.

The details

Mayor Karen Bass has faced criticism for her handling of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, with reports indicating that a fire department report was watered down to protect officials from criticism, and that Bass was complicit in the revisions. This lapse in judgment has damaged Bass's standing in the polls, opening the door for a challenge from the left. City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, a progressive in the mold of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has now declared her candidacy just hours before the filing deadline. Raman previously endorsed Bass when it appeared she would face a more conservative opponent, but has now decided to run, citing the need for 'big changes' in how the city operates. Raman's entry into the race poses a serious threat to Bass's re-election, and could compel the business community and critics like Caruso and Beutner to rally behind the incumbent mayor to fend off the challenge from the left.

  • Mayor Bass left for a junket to Africa a year ago as LA faced the threat of destructive wildfires.
  • The LA Times recently revealed that a report on the wildfires was watered down to protect officialdom from criticism, and that Bass was complicit in the revisions.
  • Councilwoman Raman declared her candidacy just 3 hours before the filing deadline on Saturday.

The players

Karen Bass

The current mayor of Los Angeles, a former state legislator and U.S. Representative who is facing criticism for her handling of the city's recent wildfires.

Nithya Raman

A city councilwoman and one of the council's most left-leaning members, who has declared her candidacy for mayor in a challenge to Bass from the progressive wing of the Democratic party.

Rick Caruso

A businessman who had waged a credible campaign against Bass in 2022 and was considering challenging her again or running for governor, but ultimately decided against both.

Austin Beutner

The former superintendent of LA schools and one-time CEO of the LA Times, who announced his candidacy for mayor but then dropped out, citing the recent death of his 22-year-old daughter.

Lindsey Horvath

An LA County Supervisor who briefly considered running for mayor after Caruso and Beutner dropped out, but ultimately decided against it.

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What they’re saying

“I have deep respect for Mayor Bass. We've worked closely together on my biggest priorities and her biggest priorities, and there's significant alignment there. But over the last few months in particular, I've really begun to feel like unless we have some big changes in how we do things in Los Angeles, that the things we count on are not going to function anymore.”

— Nithya Raman, City Councilwoman (Los Angeles Times)

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 race highlights the growing political divide within the Democratic party, with the progressive wing challenging the more moderate establishment. The outcome could have significant implications for the direction of Los Angeles and its influence on statewide politics in California.