Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass's campaign launched a sharp attack on Sunday against progressive city councilmember Nithya Raman, who was projected to advance to a runoff election for the city's top job. The move signals a shift to a centrist tone as Bass seeks to consolidate support ahead of the November face-off.
Raman overtook Republican candidate and former reality television star Spencer Pratt in the latest vote tally, securing her place in the runoff alongside Bass. Neither candidate reached the 50 percent threshold needed to win outright, setting the stage for a contentious general election contest.
In a statement, Bass campaign spokesperson Alex Stack criticized Raman for what he called a failure to address homelessness near schools and other citywide problems. “We look forward to winning a contest against an opponent who allows encampments near schools and fights against hiring more cops, yet is MIA on saving Hollywood jobs and fighting back when ICE invades LA,” Stack said.
The comments marked a clear attempt by Bass to adopt a more centrist message on an issue that Pratt had emphasized during his campaign. Pratt’s focus on homelessness and public safety had resonated with some voters, as noted in Van Jones's warning about a potential voter revolt against California Democrats.
Raman’s campaign responded with a statement expressing gratitude for the support that propelled her to the runoff. “We are encouraged by the latest vote count and remain grateful to the thousands of Angelenos who have powered this campaign,” the Raman campaign said.
The Bass campaign’s attack came just hours after Raman advanced, despite Bass facing her own criticism over homelessness. The mayor has made national headlines during her first term for clashes with President Trump, including over anti-immigration enforcement protests when the National Guard was deployed to Los Angeles and the aftermath of city wildfires that devastated communities last year.
The runoff election will now focus on contrasting visions for addressing homelessness, public safety, and economic recovery. Bass’s centrist pitch on encampments may help her appeal to moderate voters, while Raman is expected to emphasize progressive solutions. For more on the race, see our earlier report on the runoff and Raman's surge past Pratt.
