2026 Los Angeles mayoral election results: Karen Bass to run for re-election in November runoff

“I thank you for standing with me when others doubted me, because you know who I am,” she told supporters. “I have dedicated my life to serving the city of my birth and the city that I love, and I will continue to do so until victory in November.”

Bass, a former congressman and the first black woman to serve as mayor, Spencer PlattThe Republican and former star of reality TV show “The Hills” is leading the way in early returns. Platt blamed Bass for letting the fires get out of control and failing to make enough progress to address the homeless crisis.

Bass acknowledged that her tenure has been rocky, but noted that homelessness has declined in the nation’s second-largest city and that homicide rates are at historically low levels.

Also running is Nithya Ramana former Bass ally and progressive City Council member, was elected with support from the Democratic Socialists of America. A Democrat, Raman campaigned on promises to reduce inequality, revive the flagging entertainment industry and build more housing.

Political observers say the November runoff could feature 14 candidates, including tech entrepreneur Adam Miller and community activist Rae Huang.

Platt’s candidacy has attracted national attention as a barometer of dissatisfaction with liberal city governance and because of viral videos produced with artificial intelligence by supporters.

Bass has rallied much of the Democratic establishment behind her, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as the city’s powerful labor unions.

Candidates made last-minute appeals to voters, urging them to vote in an election where turnout appeared to be low. Bass, who wanders around the heavily Hispanic Boyle Heights neighborhood, recalled federal immigration raids in which she said Platt and Rahman were “nowhere to be found.”

Platt posted online that the race had become a two-person race between him and Buss and said a vote for either Raman or Miller would be a waste.

“Right now, it’s me and Karen,” Platt said.

Voter Jose Rivera said he supported Bass because she deserves re-election to deliver on her promises: “Overall, I think she’s done a really good job.”

Another, Leo Blain, said he was attracted to Raman’s progressive agenda and believed she could effectively build coalitions in the diverse city.

“I think she has a very good understanding of how the city of Los Angeles works and will be a very effective mayor,” Bryan said outside the polling station.

The game unfolds during a volatile time in Los Angeles.

In January 2025, the mayor was still grappling with the impact of her absence as the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history broke out in an affluent beachfront community. At the time, Bass was traveling to Ghana as part of a presidential delegation. Pratt lost his home in the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people. Some say the recovery is too slow.

Despite statistics showing Bath is making progress in tackling homelessness, makeshift camps and rows of rusting caravans remain commonplace across the city. Complaints about the rising cost of living — whether it’s rent, taxes or groceries — have always been a complaint. Dirty, potholed streets and sidewalks abound.

Meanwhile, Hollywood jobs have been migrating to cheaper filming locations for years. The city has also been rocked by immigration raids by the Trump administration.

The once-thriving region’s population is declining — Los Angeles County lost about 54,000 people from July 2024 to July 2025, the largest population decline in the country, according to federal data.

Crime statistics are down, but public safety remains an issue. World Cup competition begins in June in Southern California, and Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2028 Olympics. The federal government is responsible for security at the Olympics, but there are already concerns that the Los Angeles Police Department doesn’t have enough money or personnel to do the job.

Bass acknowledged mistakes were made but argued that declining homelessness and historically low homicide rates show she is making progress. “I will continue to fight for Los Angeles,” she said.

Platt, whose campaign focused on reducing homelessness and improving the police force, believes an outsider is needed to shake up City Hall. In an effort to tap into voters’ frustrations, he said he was “a fed-up Angeleno” and complained about the “homeless drug zombies” on the streets.

He has an endorsement (if not an actual endorsement) from President Donald Trump, who recently said, “I hear he’s a guy who makes MAGA great.”

The remark is likely to bother Platt in a city where Trump is widely unpopular outside of his conservative base and where Republicans make up less than 15% of registered voters.