Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Faces Challengers From Both Sides

Bass's progressive and conservative opponents aim to unseat the incumbent mayor in the upcoming election.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A dimly lit city street corner at night, with a lone streetlight casting long shadows and a sense of quiet contemplation, in the cinematic style of Edward Hopper.The Los Angeles mayoral race pits the incumbent against challengers from across the political spectrum, reflecting the city's diverse and often divided electorate.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the first woman and second Black candidate elected to the position, is facing a tough re-election battle. Her challengers include progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman and conservative reality TV star Spencer Pratt. Bass's approval ratings have not fully recovered from her handling of the deadly Palisades fire during her first term.

Why it matters

The Los Angeles mayoral race is a high-profile contest that will shape the direction of the nation's second-largest city. Bass's opponents represent starkly different visions for LA, with Raman pushing a progressive agenda and Pratt offering a conservative alternative. The outcome could have significant implications for issues like housing, homelessness, public safety, and the city's economic recovery.

The details

Bass, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 as the first woman and second Black mayor of Los Angeles. However, her approval ratings have struggled in the wake of her response to the Palisades fire, which resulted in multiple fatalities. Raman, a fellow Democrat who once supported Bass, is now challenging her from the left, advocating for bold action on homelessness and climate change. Meanwhile, Pratt, a conservative reality TV personality, is running on a law-and-order platform focused on public safety and cracking down on crime.

  • Mayor Bass was elected in 2022.
  • The Palisades fire occurred during Bass's first term as mayor.

The players

Karen Bass

The incumbent mayor of Los Angeles, elected in 2022 as the first woman and second Black mayor of the city.

Nithya Raman

A progressive member of the Los Angeles City Council who is challenging Bass in the mayoral election.

Spencer Pratt

A conservative reality TV star who is also running for mayor of Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“We must take bold action on homelessness and climate change to address the urgent challenges facing our city.”

— Nithya Raman, Los Angeles City Councilmember

“As mayor, I will focus on restoring law and order and keeping our streets safe for all Angelenos.”

— Spencer Pratt, Mayoral Candidate

What’s next

The Los Angeles mayoral election is scheduled for November 2026.

The takeaway

The Los Angeles mayoral race is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest between competing visions for the city's future, with the incumbent mayor facing challenges from both progressive and conservative opponents. The outcome could have significant implications for the direction of the nation's second-largest city.