Los Angeles mayor race tied at 40%, poll says

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman are tied at 40 percent each among likely voters before the November 3 mayoral election, with 19 percent undecided, according to the most recent polling cited by AFP.

The race pits Bass, a 73-year-old Democratic incumbent with decades of government experience, against Raman, a 45-year-old city council member affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. Raman entered the race late after previously endorsing Bass for a second term.

Raman has focused her campaign on affordability, homelessness and basic city services. She told AFP that Los Angeles was “worse off” than before Bass became mayor and said she was asking residents to “dream bigger.”

Bass has a fundraising lead and support from traditional political circles, but has faced criticism over homelessness and wildfire response. Her trip to Ghana as part of a presidential delegation when deadly wildfires erupted in early 2025 has remained a political issue.

The winner will lead Los Angeles as the city prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.