Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has replaced her top campaign strategist as she prepares for a closely contested runoff against City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the November 3 mayoral election. Douglas Herman, who has served as Bass’s lead strategist since 2021, stepped down from the campaign earlier this week, citing “strategic differences” over the campaign’s direction. He declined to elaborate on those differences.

Herman, known for his aggressive approach in defending Bass, played a key role in her initial 2022 mayoral victory over real estate developer Rick Caruso and helped her navigate a recall effort during her first term. His departure comes as Bass, the top vote-getter in the June 2 primary with 34% of the vote, faces significant challenges heading into the general election. Raman trailed Bass with 29%, while reality TV personality Spencer Pratt received about 26%.

Bass’s campaign announced that Julie Chávez Rodriguez will take over leadership of the reelection effort. Chávez Rodriguez is widely recognized for her work as campaign manager in the 2024 presidential bids of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. A granddaughter of César Chávez, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, she has extensive experience in Democratic politics, including roles in the Obama and Biden administrations. Most recently, she led Unidos Con Karen Bass 2026, an independent expenditure group focused on increasing Latino voter turnout during the primary election.

Bass’s spokesperson, Alex Stack, declined to comment on Herman’s departure but expressed confidence in the campaign’s new direction under Chávez Rodriguez. “Going into the general election, our campaign is proud to announce that Julie Chávez Rodriguez will be leading the team,” Stack said in a statement.

Raman, elected to the City Council in 2020, is viewed as a strong challenger with a base of support among younger voters, members of the entertainment industry, and activists aligned with the YIMBY (“yes in my backyard”) movement. This coalition advocates for reducing regulatory hurdles to increase housing development in Los Angeles.

Despite Bass’s primary lead, public opinion polls indicate a majority of voters are dissatisfied with her tenure, suggesting the runoff could be highly competitive. The shift in campaign leadership reflects Bass’s efforts to recalibrate her strategy as she aims to secure a second four-year term in a race that has drawn significant attention across the city’s political landscape.