The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race has been dramatically reshaped in recent weeks, with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass facing unexpected challenges from both familiar and unlikely candidates, according to reports from the New York Post and New York Times.
At the center of political turmoil is a bombshell Los Angeles Times report alleging Bass interfered with a critical after-action report on the devastating Palisades fire. Sources claimed the mayor directed that key findings about the Los Angeles Fire Department's shortcomings be removed or softened from the report, apparently concerned about legal liabilities. The controversy prompted former rival Rick Caruso to briefly reconsider running against Bass before ultimately deciding against a mayoral bid following "heartfelt conversations" with his family.
The 22-year-old daughter of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner has died after seemingly experiencing a medical emergency. Her death is being investigated as a homicide. Mr. Beutner, a former ally of Mayor Karen Bass, entered the contest in October and is leaving the race after the tragedy. "My family has experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter Emily. She was a magical person, the light of our lives. We are still in mourning," he said in a statement. "A successful campaign, and more importantly the job of Mayor, requires someone who is committed 24/7 to the job. Family has always come first for me. That is where I need to be at this time."
Beutner served as LAUSD Superintendent from 2018 to 2021.
Adding to the unconventional nature of this race is Spencer Pratt, the reality television personality known for MTV's "The Hills," who officially filed paperwork to challenge Bass. Pratt, who lost his home in the Palisades fire, announced his candidacy with criticism of the city's disaster response, stating "We can't do four more years of Karen Bass."Perhaps the most significant development came when City Councilmember Nithya Raman, once a close ally of Bass, stunned the political establishment by announcing her own mayoral campaign. Her late entry capped a tumultuous filing period where several prominent potential contenders, including former LA Unified School District superintendent Austin Beutner, opted not to challenge Bass.
Raman, a progressive star first elected with Democratic Socialists of America backing, declared "Los Angeles is at a breaking point" in her campaign announcement. Her candidacy creates an ideological rift that could divide the city's progressive voters. Sources within Bass's camp quickly fired back, with strategist Doug Herman stating "The last thing Los Angeles needs is a politician who opposed cleaning up homeless encampments and efforts to make our city safer."
The fractured landscape sets up an unpredictable June primary, with three distinct campaign themes emerging: Bass's incumbency despite controversy, Pratt's outsider criticism focused on the fire response, and Raman's progressive vision challenging her former political ally from the left.
