Key facts
- Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass faces a tougher general election than expected.
- Councilmember Nithya Raman is a stronger contender than anticipated.
- Bass's allies had preferred to face Rick Caruso in the general election.
- Caruso's loss means a more competitive intra-party battle for Bass.
- A Bass strategist acknowledged the need for more time, money, and effort in the upcoming campaign.
Los Angeles Democrats are bracing for a more challenging general election after primary results revealed incumbent Mayor Karen Bass faces a tighter race against Councilmember Nithya Raman than initially anticipated. While Bass secured her spot on the November ballot, the fact that she is in a runoff at all signals a weakened political standing.
Bass and her allies had privately hoped to face third-party candidate Rick Caruso in the general election, believing the math would favor her in a head-to-head matchup. However, Caruso's loss means Bass will contend with Raman, a race where a recent poll indicated Raman holds a slight lead.