What changed
2026-07-26 06:15 UTC → 2026-08-21 01:44 UTC ·
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Los Angeles 2026 mayoral race – homelessness count spikes LA Mayoral Runoff: Bass vs. Raman set for November
Incumbent The Los Angeles mayoral race has moved to a November 3 runoff between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and councilmember Councilmember Nithya Raman remain locked in a November 3, 2026 runoff after Raman. In the June primary left 2 primary, Bass led with about 35 % approximately 34–37% of the vote and vote, while Raman in secured second place. Both campaigns have intensified around homelessness, public safety, place by narrowly overtaking Republican challenger Spencer Pratt. Pratt, a former reality-TV star, finished third with roughly 25–26% of the $400 million Inside Safe program, wildfire recovery, vote. Pratt’s campaign was defined by high-visibility, unconventional tactics, including AI-generated superhero ads and Olympic preparations. The latest Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count shows city‑wide homelessness rose 3.4 % to roughly 45,200 people viral videos criticizing city spending and the unsheltered segment jumped 7.9 %, while county figures reached about 73,000, ending two years administration’s response to the 2025 Palisades fire. His candidacy drew national attention, including comments from Donald Trump and Jimmy Kimmel, and was marked by allegations of decline. Bass attributes election irregularities that federal officials and the surge DOJ refuted. Following his loss, Pratt announced a “war” to federal expose alleged political corruption and state funding cuts, citing filed a 50 % reduction in lawsuit against the HHAP program and blaming city regarding the Trump administration for higher gas, grocery wildfire. The runoff pits Bass’s coalition of labor unions, business leaders, and rent costs. Raman called Black voters against Raman’s progressive base. Key issues include the rise an “8 % jump in street homelessness” and a “moral outrage,” urging stronger leadership. The city’s homelessness budget remains near $1 billion annually, with the county adding a new department; critics note roughly $3 billion crisis—which saw a year is spent overall, and $10‑15 billion over 3.4% rise in the past decade without lasting reductions. Bass’s campaign 2026 count—and the recovery from recent wildfires. Bass has faced staff turnover, including scrutiny over the resignation of longtime aide Doug Herman $400 million Inside Safe program and the hiring of Julie Chávez Rodríguez, municipal budget deficits, while former primary candidate Spencer Pratt met President Trump Raman emphasizes housing equity and launched his WAR Foundation, keeping the race in national view. Poll aggregators still give Bass a 62‑63 % chance of victory, but the homelessness surge, staffing changes, social services. The election will also occur amid debates over local tax policies and ongoing legal probes add further uncertainty as the final stretch approaches. city’s preparations for the 2028 Olympics.