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THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles is entering a mayoral race at a moment of deep uncertainty and unusual consequence. City Councilmember Nithya Raman’s late entry into the contest against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has transformed what once appeared to be a predictable reelection bid into a referendum on leadership, accountability, and the direction of the nation’s second-largest city.
The next mayor will inherit a city strained by overlapping crises: rebuilding neighborhoods devastated by the Palisades Fire, confronting a homelessness emergency that continues to erode public confidence, addressing public safety concerns, and preparing Los Angeles to host the 2028 Olympic Games an undertaking that will test the city’s infrastructure, finances, and competence on the world stage.
Nearly 40 candidates filed to run, underscoring frustration with the status quo and a hunger for change. Yet in practical terms, the race is widely expected to narrow quickly to a small group of viable contenders, with the remaining campaigns unlikely to gain the support, funding, or organizational strength necessary to compete citywide. Notably absent from the race are former Los Angeles schools superintendent Austin Beutner, who withdrew following the tragic death of his daughter, and billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who declined a rematch after spending more than $100 million in his unsuccessful 2022 bid. Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath also chose not to enter the race before the filing deadline.
Voters will cast ballots in June. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a November runoff a scenario that could deepen political divisions while forcing Angelenos to confront stark choices about the city’s future.
Karen Bass: Incumbency Under Scrutiny
Mayor Karen Bass entered office with deep legislative experience and a reputation for coalition-building. A South Los Angeles native and former Speaker of the California Assembly and member of Congress, Bass has consolidated support from labor organizations, business groups, and key members of the City Council. Her campaign war chest and institutional backing make her the early frontrunner.
Bass points to reductions in homelessness and historically low crime rates as evidence of progress. Yet the perception of improvement has not matched the lived experience of many residents. Encampments remain visible, city services remain strained, and public confidence in local government remains fragile.
Her leadership during the Palisades Fire has drawn particular scrutiny. Bass was out of the country when the fire ignited, and questions surrounding the city’s emergency preparedness and after-action response continue to fuel criticism. In moments of crisis, leadership optics matter and the controversy has exposed political vulnerabilities.
Nithya Raman: Reform, Housing, and Progressive Momentum
Councilmember Nithya Raman represents a generational and ideological contrast. First elected in 2020 after unseating an incumbent, she built her political identity around housing reform, tenant protections, and grassroots organizing.
An urban planner by training, Raman has positioned housing affordability as the defining issue of Los Angeles’ future. She founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition to provide direct services to unhoused residents and has aligned herself with housing density advocates and reform movements pushing for expanded supply alongside stronger renter protections.
Supporters view Raman as a bold reformer willing to challenge entrenched systems. Critics question whether her policy vision adequately balances growth, neighborhood stability, and public safety concerns. Her candidacy signals growing progressive momentum in city politics and raises fundamental questions about how Los Angeles should evolve.
Adam Miller: Outsider Leadership and Management Experience
Technology entrepreneur Adam Miller presents himself as a pragmatic outsider focused on execution rather than ideology. A West Los Angeles resident and philanthropist, Miller has worked on homelessness prevention and affordable housing initiatives while building a successful education software company sold in 2021.
Miller argues Los Angeles does not lack compassion or resources, but competent leadership capable of delivering measurable results. His message is aimed at voters frustrated by bureaucratic inertia and political gridlock.
Whether managerial expertise can translate into effective governance remains an open question, but his candidacy reflects a broader appetite for nontraditional leadership.
Rev. Rae Huang: Housing Justice and Social Equity
Rev. Rae Huang is a Presbyterian minister, housing advocate, and community organizer whose work has focused on tenant protections and preventing displacement of working-class communities. She supports expanding public housing, providing free bus service, and reallocating funding toward unarmed crisis response programs.
Her platform reflects a broader movement prioritizing housing justice and social equity, while also fueling debate over the appropriate balance between public safety spending and social services investment.
This election is more than a contest of personalities. It is a referendum on governance, competence, and the future identity of Los Angeles.
Voters are not simply choosing a mayor they are deciding whether the city will continue along its current trajectory or demand a governing approach grounded in accountability, efficiency, and measurable results.
The next mayor must rebuild trust as urgently as they rebuild neighborhoods. They must confront homelessness with solutions that are visible and effective. They must ensure public safety without abandoning compassion. And they must prepare Los Angeles to stand confidently before the world in 2028.
Los Angeles does not need another political cycle — it needs decisive leadership equal to the urgency of this moment.
(Mihran Kalaydjian is a seasoned public affairs and government relations professional with more than twenty years of experience in legislative affairs, public policy, community relations, and strategic communications. A respected civic leader and education advocate, he has spearheaded numerous academic and community initiatives, shaping dialogue and driving reform in local and regional political forums. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and public service across Los Angeles and beyond.)
