Incumbent Karen Bass and Nithya Raman are running in the nonpartisan general election for mayor of Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 3, 2026. In the June 2 primary, neither received more than the 50% of the vote required to win the election outright. Bass is the first incumbent to face a runoff since 2005.
Of the 14 candidates who ran in the primary election, Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Raman led in polling and media attention. Though the race was nonpartisan, Bass and Raman are Democrats, and Pratt is a Republican. Bass received 34% of the vote, followed by Raman with 29% and Pratt with 26%.
In a race where both candidates are Democrats and aligned on most issues, generational and intraparty divisions, as well as attacks on each other's records, are expected to play a role. The New York Times' Shawn Hubler writes, "The race between Ms. Raman [44] and Ms. Bass, 72, sets up a generational contest between the center-left Democratic establishment that has shaped the city for years, and the young, restive progressives who have charged that baby boomers’ housing policies have systematically priced them out of Los Angeles." Raman, a city councilor, received support from the Democratic Socialists of America in previous elections. The Los Angeles Times' Steve Lopez writes, "Raman is to the left of Bass and the traditional left in Los Angeles. ... Raman’s candidacy — along with DSA candidates for other city offices — makes the election something of a referendum on the evolving center of political clout in L.A."
According to The New York Times, the general election voter turnout should be larger and more progressive than the primary, a potential advantage for Raman. Based on analysis from CalMatters' Jim Newton, Bass may benefit from the perception that she is the more conservative of the two. Newton writes, "What happens to the 25% of voters who backed [Pratt]? ... Some will stay home, of course. To those who are determined not to sulk, Bass offers something closer to their politics. The outcome may turn, at least in part, on what these voters do."
Bass was elected mayor in 2022 and is running on what she says are her first-term successes, saying, "Street homelessness is down for the first time in modern memory. Crime has fallen, with homicide levels lower than they've been since the 1960s. We’re accelerating nearly 40,000 units of housing after decades of under-building." Bass has also highlighted her support of the police, film industry tax credits, and protections for immigrants while criticizing Raman's previous opposition to no-camping zones and votes against police hiring and the banning of homeless encampments near schools.
Raman represents Los Angeles City Council District 4 and is an urban planner. She says, "I’m running for Mayor because Los Angeles simply isn’t working the way it should, and we need more urgency to address our city’s biggest crises. My goal is to deliver a city that works again, where people can afford to live, can feel safe, and can trust that their government is delivering results." Raman says Bass represents the status quo and engages in "'pay to play' politics, saying special interests ... the police union, business groups and Airbnb — spent big on her reelection," according to the Los Angeles Times. Raman also criticizes Bass for what she says is a failure to repair the streets, sidewalks, and other infrastructure, build new apartments, and prevent the loss of film industry jobs.
Los Angeles uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body and the mayor serves as the city's chief executive. As of 2026, Los Angeles has term limits for the position of mayor. Mayors can serve two four-year terms.
Karen Bass (Nonpartisan) and Nithya Raman (Nonpartisan) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.