Bass Says Another Run for Office Is Doubtful After Los Angeles Loss
On November 10, Karen Bass spoke publicly for the first time since losing her reelection campaign for Los Angeles mayor. Asked whether she might run for office again, Bass replied, “Doubtful.” She said that after a lifetime in public service, she was ready to consider what she wanted personally. Bass is 73 and will leave City Hall in December.
Bass described the result as part of a broader wave of voter frustration and desire for change, rather than criticizing her former ally. She said she wished Raman well and that she remained focused on what would help Los Angeles prosper.
Raman, a 45-year-old City Council member who had previously been allied with Bass, defeated the incumbent after campaigning on housing, homelessness and basic city services. The Los Angeles branch of the Democratic Socialists of America backed her, and she had support from younger voters. Bass had endorsements from nearly all her City Council colleagues and backing from developer Rick Caruso, whom she beat in 2022.
The result ended Bass’s record of never having lost an election for public office and made her the first sitting Los Angeles mayor defeated by a challenger since 2005. Raman is set to become the city’s 44th mayor when she takes office on December 8.
Los Angeles Voters Demand Change After Bass’s Defeat
Los Angeles voters delivered a clear demand for change, electing Nithya Raman over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Raman’s campaign challenged City Hall’s record on housing, homelessness and public services, concerns that helped make the contest about residents’ needs rather than the support of political insiders.
Bass spoke publicly on November 10 for the first time since her defeat, saying another run for office was “Doubtful.” She described the result as part of a wider wave of frustration and said she was ready to think about her personal life after a lifetime in public service.
Raman, a 45-year-old council member and former Bass ally, received backing from the Democratic Socialists of America’s Los Angeles branch and drew support from younger voters. Bass had endorsements from nearly all her City Council colleagues and support from developer Rick Caruso, whom she beat in 2022. Those endorsements could not overcome voters’ appetite for a different direction.
Raman is set to take office on December 8 as Los Angeles’ 44th mayor. Bass said she wished her successor well and remained committed to the city’s prosperity. Raman’s win also ends Bass’s record of never losing an election for public office and makes her the first sitting Los Angeles mayor defeated by a challenger since 2005.
Los Angeles’s Progressive Shift Ousts Incumbent Bass
Los Angeles voters chose a more progressive direction, ousting Mayor Karen Bass for council member Nithya Raman, who was endorsed by the local Democratic Socialists of America. Raman’s campaign argued that City Hall was failing residents on housing, homelessness and basic services; her win puts a politician with democratic socialist support at the helm of the nation’s second-largest city.
Bass spoke publicly on November 10 for the first time since losing, saying another run for elected office was “Doubtful.” She framed the defeat as part of a broader wave of frustration and calls for change, rather than attacking her former ally. Bass said she wished Raman well and would continue to care about the city’s future.
The incumbent had support from nearly all her City Council colleagues and developer Rick Caruso, whom she defeated in 2022. Raman nevertheless won, with support from younger voters, after challenging the city’s performance on major local concerns. The result raises the stakes for a new administration whose campaign promised a different approach to those problems.
Raman will assume office on December 8 as Los Angeles’ 44th mayor. Bass, 73, will leave City Hall in December after a political career in which she had never previously lost an election. Her defeat is the first time since 2005 that a sitting Los Angeles mayor has been beaten by a challenger.
Reported by New York Post, Daily Mail US.
