Los Angeles Mayoral Race in Dead Heat as Voters Head to the Polls

The Los Angeles mayoral race is locked in a dead heat heading into the final stretch. Multiple recent polls show incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman tied at about 40 percent each among likely voters, with roughly 19 percent still undecided, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3.

What each candidate is running on

Raman, a city council member, has campaigned as a progressive reformer on housing costs, homelessness and basic city services, pointing to a roughly 49 percent drop in unsheltered people in her council district according to the LAHSA count. Bass has emphasized stability and rebuilding, with restoring Los Angeles Police Department staffing as her central pitch on public safety.

Money and late-campaign turbulence

Bass holds a fundraising advantage of about $5.4 million to Raman's $2.7 million, plus institutional endorsements. Bass has faced sustained criticism for being out of the country when the Pacific Palisades wildfires ignited in January 2025, though several fire survivors say they will still back her for stability and ongoing recovery work. Raman's earlier lead narrowed after contentious remarks about police and a social-media appearance late in the campaign.

Who will decide it

Turnout by younger and renter voters, and how the undecided bloc breaks, will determine the winner. Beyond City Hall, the victor will guide recovery from recent crises and manage preparations for the 2028 Olympics.

(File photo: Los Angeles City Hall)