Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass holds a slim 51% to 49% lead over challenger Nithya Raman in the early results of the 2026 mayoral election. The Los Angeles County registrar office released this initial data on Tuesday, Sept. 29, based on vote-by-mail ballots received prior to Election Day.
The 11% homelessness reduction vs. Raman's audit plan
The mayoral contest has become a high-stakes referendum on the city's ability to manage its most visible social crises. Mayor Bass has defended her administration's record by highlighting an 11% reduction in street homelessness achieved through her Inside Safe initiative. However, as the report indicates, the city's most recent homeless count suggests these gains may be reversing, providing political leverage to her opponent .
Nithya Raman, an urban planner and former nonprofit executive, has centered her campaign on these perceived failures. Raman has pledged to conduct a full audit of city homelessness spending and intends to shift funding away from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Her platform includes a more aggressive commitment to eliminate street encampments by the end of her first term.
Policing debates and the fate of Chief Jim McDonnell
Public safety and emergency response strategies have emerged as major flashpoints between the two candidates. Mayor Bass is advocating for the hiring of more police officers and has maintained her support for Police Chief Jim McDonnell. In contrast, Nithya Raman has called for maintaining current staffing levels and has expressed a desire to replace Chief McDonnell.
The candidates also differ on how the Los Angeles Police Department should interact with federal authorities. While both Bass and Raman oppose the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, Raman has criticized the LAPD's handling of immigration protests. She has pledged to ensure that city data is not utilized for federal immigration enforcement, whereas Mayor Bass has focused on assisting affected families while barring federal agents from using city property.
Scrutiny over the Palisades fire and Boyle Heights warehouse blaze
Recent emergency management incidents have provided Raman with significant ammunition to question the leadership of the Bass administration. The January 2025 Palisades fire became a point of contention after Mayor Bass was criticized for being out of the country when the disaster erupted. While the Mayor has acknowledged responsibility and pointed to improvements within the Fire Department,Raman argues the event exposed deep-seated systemic failures.
Further scrutiny has been directed at the city's response to the June Lineage warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. Residents in the area raised serious concerns regarding air quality and the transparency of the city's emergency handling. Raman has used these incidents to argue that Los Angeles requires a dedicated official to oversee recovery efforts and ensure better accountability.
Voter approval for Measure FD and Proposition TE
Beyond the mayoral race, Los Angeles voters have signaled strong support for several major fiscal and housing measures. Measure FD, which proposes a half-cent sales tax to generate $345 million annually for the Fire Department, is leading with 54% in favor. Similarly, Proposition TE, a transfer tax on high-value property sales intended to fund affordable housing,shows an early lead with 66% of the vote.
These measures,alongside the passage of various Charter Amendments, suggest a voter base that is prioritizing infrastructure, public safety, and housing affordability. For instance, Charter Amendment PRK passed with 77% support to double the budget for the Department of Recreation and Parks, reflecting a broad mandate for expanded city services.
Will the Nov. 27 certification reveal a Raman comeback?
Several critical questions remain as the Los Angeles County registrar continues to process the remaining ballots. It is currently unknown how the shift from vote-by-mail to in-person ballots will affect the narrow 2% margin between Bass and Raman. Additionally, while Mayor Bass has secured support from figures like Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, the full strength of the Democratic Socialists of America's support for Raman remains unverified in the current tally.
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