LA Mayor Karen Bass Touts Karate Skills, Warns Opponent to 'Bow Before You Kill'

Bass's tough talk at a campaign event has sparked a fierce Democrat-on-Democrat showdown with Councilwoman Nithya Raman.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a campaign kickoff speech, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass boasted of her two brown belts in karate and warned her opponent Councilwoman Nithya Raman to "bow before you kill," drawing applause from the crowd. The comments have ignited a fierce political battle between the two Democrats, who have previously worked closely together but are now locked in a high-stakes contest that could fracture the city's progressive base.

Why it matters

The race between Bass and Raman, who both share progressive ideologies but differ on key issues like homelessness and policing, is seen as a battle for the future direction of Los Angeles. The outcome could have significant implications for the city's policies and the unity of its Democratic political establishment.

The details

At a campaign event in Leimert Park, Mayor Karen Bass touted her two brown belts in karate and stated that one valuable lesson she learned was "bow before you kill." The line drew applause from the crowd, and video clips of the remarks quickly spread online. Bass and Raman have a long political alliance, having worked closely since Raman arrived at City Hall, but Bass acknowledged that Raman's late entry into the race surprised her. The two candidates share more similarities than differences in their progressive ideologies, but their contrasting approaches to key issues like homelessness and policing have set the stage for a campaign that is likely to be fought less on party lines than on competing visions of how to govern Los Angeles.

  • Mayor Karen Bass made the remarks at a campaign kickoff event in Leimert Park over the weekend.

The players

Karen Bass

The current mayor of Los Angeles and a former U.S. congresswoman and state Assembly speaker, who is running for reelection.

Nithya Raman

A Los Angeles City Councilwoman who has entered the race for mayor, surprising her longtime political ally Mayor Bass.

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What they’re saying

“bow before you kill”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (The California Post)

What’s next

The race between Bass and Raman is expected to be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the future direction of Los Angeles. The two candidates' contrasting approaches to key issues like homelessness and policing will likely be a major focus of the campaign.

The takeaway

The fierce Democrat-on-Democrat showdown between Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman highlights the divisions within the city's progressive base and the high stakes of the mayoral race. The outcome could shape the future of Los Angeles' policies and the unity of its Democratic political establishment.