Los Angeles voters are preparing to choose their next mayor amid mounting concerns over homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance, with the possibility of electing a candidate from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for the first time in the city’s history.
The city, America's second-largest and governed by Democratic mayors for the past 25 years, faces significant challenges. Residents’ satisfaction with quality of life has declined sharply, hitting a decade-low according to a 2026 survey by UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. The survey assessed nine categories, including healthcare, public safety, the economy, education, and transportation, all showing diminished approval compared to 2016.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat who has held office since 2022, is under pressure amid frustration over ongoing street homelessness and the aftermath of wildfires in early 2025. Bass, 73, who has deep roots in the city and served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, has highlighted reductions in crime, noting a 47% drop in homicides since her tenure began. She acknowledges the city’s problems are long-standing, including homelessness issues that span roughly three decades, but emphasizes progress made during her first term.
Bass has earned endorsements from key local figures, including three other DSA members on the City Council, as well as from Rick Caruso, a prominent developer and her 2022 mayoral opponent. She has criticized her main challenger, Councilmember Nithya Raman, for previous calls to defund the police during Raman’s 2020 council campaign and for voting against higher police staffing.
Raman, 45, born in India and a mother of twins attending Los Angeles public schools, represents a progressive shift in city politics. As a member of the City Council affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, she is poised to become one of the first DSA mayors in the country if elected, joining New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another young, progressive DSA figure who won office last year. Raman had initially endorsed Bass's reelection but changed course, arguing that she could better improve the city’s quality of life and restore public trust. She emphasizes more efficient budget management to avoid cuts to essential city services.
The city’s infrastructure woes remain acute: the average time to repair potholes extended to seven days in the 2025-26 fiscal year from less than a day in 2021-22, while fixing streetlight outages now takes an average of 224 working days, a sharp increase partly linked to copper-wire theft. Public safety issues are underscored by a rise in traffic fatalities, coinciding with a reduction in police traffic stops.
A recent poll indicated a tightening race between Bass and Raman after Raman faced backlash over controversial comments about the police, reflecting a politically divided electorate as Election Day approaches. The outcome will be closely watched as it could signal further momentum for Democratic Socialists in major American cities or a reaffirmation of established Democratic leadership amid ongoing urban challenges.