Rick Caruso to Vote for Mayor Bass in Upcoming Mayoral Election
The real estate developer and former mayoral candidate announced his decision ahead of the November 3rd election, while criticizing Councilwoman Nithya Raman.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, Rick Caruso, the real estate developer and former mayoral candidate, announced he would vote for incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral election. This decision comes after Caruso ran against Bass in the 2022 race, losing by nearly 10 percentage points.
Caruso clarified to LAmag that this is not an official endorsement, but rather a "sharing of his vote." He stated in an ABC7 interview that his decision was driven by his "love for Los Angeles" and a belief that Bass has "worked hard to learn from the mistakes of the past." He specifically cited working with Bass on the Palisades Fire rebuilding efforts as a factor that restored his faith in her.
While Caruso acknowledged ongoing disagreements with Bass, he expressed concerns about her opponent, LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman. He believes Raman "is not ready for the job," specifically mentioning her stance to replace LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and her lack of executive experience, according to LAmag. Caruso had previously criticized Bass online regarding homelessness and the Palisades fire but softened his stance after the June primary.
Mayor Bass, according to various outlets, stated she was honored by Caruso's decision and looks forward to continued collaboration if reelected. She acknowledged their history of working together on "big problems," including his nonprofit Steadfast LA's partnership in the Palisades rebuilding efforts. The upcoming mayoral election, featuring Bass and Raman, is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3rd.
This is a significant move in the LA mayoral race, given Caruso's past run and considerable influence. Voters will consider what this means for the city's future leadership.