Palisades Fire Survivors Back Mayor Bass Despite Anger Over Disaster

Four residents who lost their homes in the January 2025 Palisades Fire have stated they remain angry with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over her administration's handling of the disaster, yet they still intend to vote for her re-election. These survivors expressed frustration with Bass's response, particularly noting her absence from the city when the fire ignited.

Despite their grievances, these residents are not aligning with socialist-backed candidate Nithya Raman. Polls indicate a close race, with a California Post/McLaughlin poll showing Raman leading Bass 46.7% to 38.8%, and a UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll showing the candidates tied at 40%. Public approval for Bass's job performance has been low, with 71.7% disapproving in one poll and 65% viewing her unfavorably in another.

Nina Madok, whose home was destroyed, stated, "Do I think Karen’s actions resulted in our town burning down? Yes. Do I think that she’s been problematic on delivering on some of the promises that she’s made, or the things we’ve asked them for? Yes, absolutely. But the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t."

Jessica Rogers, president of the Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group, voiced concerns about Raman and her ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, suggesting that policies associated with former Councilman Mike Bonin had negatively impacted public safety. Rogers credited Bass with coordinating with federal environmental officials, meeting with the governor's administration, and addressing security concerns after the fire.

Madok, who hopes to return to her rebuilt home by December 2027, believes Bass's administration has a deeper understanding of the bureaucratic hurdles delaying recovery and noted that Bass has not alienated Republicans, which could aid in securing federal assistance.

Sue Kohl, a former president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, acknowledged that Bass made a mistake by traveling to Ghana during a period of dangerous fire weather. However, Kohl stated, "All right, she made a mistake. She’s not the only human in the world to have ever made a mistake." Kohl credited Bass with visiting the community, sending deputies to recovery meetings, and helping secure state restrictions on increased housing density in fire-damaged neighborhoods. She also criticized Raman's opposition to anti-camping restrictions.

Kaye Steinsapir also confronted Bass directly about perceived leadership absence, but noted that the mayor listened and continued to work with community leaders, citing cooperation and positive actions from the mayor's office that many in the community may not be aware of.

These sentiments are echoed by others, including former mayoral rival Rick Caruso and Councilwoman Traci Park, both of whom plan to vote for Bass despite reservations.

Caruso, who lost to Bass in 2022, announced his vote for the mayor, stating, "For the love of LA, I must put the past behind me because this election must be about our future." He and Bass appeared together at a meet-and-greet event prior to the election.

Park, whose district includes the affected area, clarified, "I’m not endorsing Karen Bass, but I am voting for Karen Bass." She explained that while she wants change, the alternative candidate would impede progress.

Raman, in a letter to the Palisadian-Post, addressed the city's failures before, during, and after the fire, stating, "It is the mayor’s duty to 'supervise emergency preparedness activities in the various departments and offices,' as explicitly defined in our city charter. To say our current mayor failed in that duty when it was needed most is painfully obvious."

Nearly two years after the blaze, which destroyed over 6,800 structures, the rebuilding process has been slow, with only 62 properties having received certificates of occupancy as of October 20. Thousands of families remain displaced.