Allies Express Concern Over Mayor Bass's Reelection Bid, Cite Rival's Momentum

Concerns are surfacing among allies of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass regarding her reelection campaign, with some privately suggesting that challenger Nithya Raman, a City Councilmember, is gaining momentum.

Several individuals described as Bass supporters and campaign insiders have shared their growing apprehension about Raman's campaign, particularly following her recent endorsements from significant labor organizations. These include the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and Unite Here Local 11, which possesses a considerable field operation.

One Bass ally noted the significance of these union endorsements, stating, "Those are serious unions with people and money. That was a bit surprising." Another supporter expressed a more direct assessment of the race's current state, believing Raman holds the advantage. "I think you have to give Nithya the advantage. I really do. I think we could turn that around but the energy is with Nithya, and it’s unfortunate."

This sentiment appears to be a frequent topic within Bass's political circles, with one ally reporting conversations about the race "every 30 minutes" and emphasizing that "People are very worried about it and focused on it."

However, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Bass's chief strategist, countered these concerns. She asserted that the campaign had anticipated a competitive contest from the outset and continues to operate under that assumption. "We’ve always known that this was going to be a tight race, and so that’s what we’ve been operating on, and it remains so," Rodriguez stated. "But we continue to see the mayor ahead, especially with her base supporters, which is where we’ve invested a lot of time and energy early on."

The November runoff was established after the June primary, where Bass secured approximately 34% of the vote, while Raman garnered about 29%. The approximately 26% of votes for third-place finisher Spencer Pratt could prove crucial in the upcoming contest.

Political strategist Matt Klink highlighted the importance of the Pratt vote, especially among voters in the San Fernando Valley. "If the Bass team isn’t targeting Pratt voters, especially in the San Fernando Valley, they’re making a mistake of epic proportions," Klink said. He added that Bass needs to persuade Pratt voters that Raman would be a "disaster" and that Bass herself is not. "Bass needs to make that point to Pratt voters: She is not. And time is running out."

Klink also suggested that Raman's perceived campaign energy stems partly from what he described as a less visible Bass operation. "The sentiment that Raman has the energy is real, due in large part to the fact that Karen Bass is running a low-activity campaign. While her campaign says they always knew the race would be close, they’re not engaging with voters like it is," he told The California Post.

The Bass campaign has begun to increase its direct engagement with Raman, launching a website and social media campaign branding the councilmember as "No Show Nithya" due to missed council votes. They have also amplified criticisms from Councilmember Traci Park concerning Raman's record in the Pacific Palisades following the 2025 wildfires.

Mayor Bass is also facing challenges related to controversies from her first term. Her administration has been under scrutiny regarding homelessness spending and the operations of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Bass recently declined to testify at a House Oversight subcommittee hearing examining federally funded homelessness programs, labeling the proceeding as politically motivated, which led Chairman Tim Burchett to state he was prepared to consider subpoenas.

The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires have also remained a significant political issue, with Bass facing criticism for being abroad on a presidential delegation trip to Ghana when the fires began. Her subsequent public disagreement with then-LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley also became a point of contention during her first term.

Raman has centered her campaign on Bass's performance concerning homelessness, housing, public services, and the city's response to the wildfires. "If the election is a referendum on Bass’s leadership, Raman wins. If it’s a choice between two competing visions, Bass can win but she has to make that case. She’s not doing that now," Klink concluded.