Incumbent Karen Bass and Nithya Raman advanced to the Nov. 3 general election after neither received more than 50% of the vote in the June 2 nonpartisan primary for mayor of Los Angeles, California. Bass is the first incumbent to face a runoff since 2005. Of the 14 candidates who ran in the election, Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Raman led in polling and media attention.
The Los Angeles Times' Julia Wick and David Zahniser wrote of Bass' re-election bid: "Bass appeared to be on the path to an easy reelection, with no serious challengers in sight after a relatively drama-free first two years in office. But that was before a wildfire annihilated swaths of Pacific Palisades, putting Bass’ leadership under a national microscope, and before the city slid into a major financial crisis, with Bass searching for cuts to close a nearly $1-billion budget gap."
Bass was elected mayor on Nov. 8, 2022, defeating real estate developer Rick Caruso 54.8%-45.2%. Though the city's mayor is nonpartisan, Bass is a Democrat who ran as a progressive, focusing on homelessness and affordable housing. Bass said she ran for re-election "because the foundation is laid, and now we can build the city we all deserve — a city where our kids no longer dodge tents on their walk to school. Where hardworking people can afford to live. Where restaurants, soundstages, and downtowns are thriving again. Where every neighborhood reflects the dynamism, the culture, and the spirit of Los Angeles."
