The reelection campaign of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass seems to be facing some challenges, especially from her opponent, DSA City Councilmember Nithya Raman. Some of Bass’s supporters are expressing worries about the momentum Raman’s campaign has garnered.
Insiders close to Bass shared their concerns with POLITICO, particularly highlighting Raman’s support from influential labor organizations, such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and Unite Here Local 11, which has a robust field operation.
One ally remarked, “Those are serious unions with people and money. That was a bit surprising.” Another supporter candidly assessed the situation: “I think you have to give Nithya the advantage. I really do. I think we could turn that around but the energy is with Nithya, and it’s unfortunate.”
This sentiment appears to be a frequent topic within Bass’s team. One ally mentioned, “I have a version of this assessment or conversation every 30 minutes. People are very worried about it and focused on it.”
In response, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Bass’s chief strategist, asserted that they were prepared for a competitive race all along. “We’ve always known that this was going to be a tight race, and so that’s what we’ve been operating on, and it remains so,” she said, adding that they still feel confident about Bass’s support from her base.
The upcoming election will follow a close June primary, where Bass secured about 34% of the vote compared to Raman’s 29%. Notably, Spencer Pratt received around 26%, meaning his supporters might play a critical role in the runoff.
Political strategist Matt Klink commented that the Pratt vote could significantly impact the outcome. He stated, “If the Bass team isn’t targeting Pratt voters, especially in the San Fernando Valley, they’re making a mistake of epic proportions.” He emphasized that time is running out for Bass, suggesting that she must compel Pratt’s voters to see her as a better choice than Raman.
Klink noted that Pratt has been vocally critical of Bass, attributing many of Los Angeles’s issues to her leadership. “Bass needs to make that point to Pratt voters: She is not [the problem],” he added, underlining the need for Bass to strengthen her defense.
The perception that Raman has greater campaign energy may stem from what Klink described as a quieter campaign strategy from Bass. He remarked, “The sentiment that Raman has the energy is real, due in large part to the fact that Karen Bass is running a low-activity campaign.” With just about 50 days until the election, there seems to be a need for increased engagement with the electorate.
As the campaign intensifies, Bass’s team has started to ramp up its criticism of Raman, launching a website and social media initiative labeling her “No Show Nithya” for absences during council votes. They’ve also spotlighted criticism regarding Raman’s actions after the 2025 wildfires.
Bass’s current term has been shadowed by ongoing scrutiny concerning her administration’s handling of homelessness and related funding. Recently, she skipped a House Oversight subcommittee hearing about federally funded homelessness programs, deeming it politically motivated. The backdrop of the January 2025 wildfires, where Bass was criticized for being out of the city during the crisis, remains a point of contention.
Raman is leveraging Bass’s record on issues like homelessness, housing, and disaster response as central themes of her campaign. Klink summarized the stakes, asserting, “If the election is a referendum on Bass’s leadership, Raman wins. If it’s a choice between two competing visions, Bass can win but she has to make that case. She’s not doing that now.”
