Karen Bass is running again. On Monday she opened a fundraising committee for the city’s June 2026 vote, filing before any other candidate did, according to the city’s Ethics Commission.
Roughly 19 months into a four-year term, she is leading with one number. Unsheltered homelessness is down 10.4% citywide from the year before, a drop her Inside Safe initiative helped produce by moving people into hotels and motels.
Zoom out and the number softens. Overall homelessness fell 2.2%, which sits inside the margin of error. Her pitch also leans on Executive Directive 1, the fast track for affordable housing, and on a lower homicide count.
Money is the other constant. Rick Caruso outspent her more than ten to one last time, pouring in over $108 million, most of it his own. Fundraising for the 2026 primary opened June 2, and if no candidate clears 50%, the top two meet in a November runoff.
Her ask is continuity. She told supporters the city “cannot afford to stop our momentum”.
Sources
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass moves forward with reelection bid – ABC7 Los Angeles
- Bass launches reelection bid, begins fundraising for June 2026 – Los Angeles Times
