Incumbent
Karen Bass
Incumbent Democratic candidate for Mayor in California
$31.9M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Karen Bass is trading at 63% to win the Los Angeles Mayor winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age72 years old (Oct 3, 1953)
GenderFemale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Southern California — Physician Assistant program (1982)
Notable personal detailsKaren Ruth Bass is an American politician who has served as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles since 2022. She previously represented Los Angeles in the U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2022) and served in the California State Assembly, including as Speaker (2008–2010). Before elective office, she worked as a physician assistant and served on faculty at the University of Southern California. She holds degrees from California State University, Dominguez Hills and the University of Southern California.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports using taxation and budgeting tools to fund government services and has indicated willingness to raise or use taxes to balance budgets while also delivering targeted tax relief for disaster-impacted businesses. As mayor she has signed city budgets prioritizing services and proposed budget measures that reduce spending and seek new revenue.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act and increasing access to government programs such as Medi‑Cal; emphasizes improving access to mental health care and protecting frontline caregivers. Positions reflect advocacy for expanding coverage and using public programs rather than endorsing full single‑payer Medicare for All.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting immigrant communities from federal enforcement actions, restricts use of city resources for immigration enforcement, and expands local support and legal/financial assistance for those affected by ICE raids. Advocates investigations into alleged unlawful federal detentions and has issued executive directives and city protocols to shield undocumented residents and preserve access to services. Public actions emphasize preserving asylum access and opposing large-scale deportation tactics within the city.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports robust abortion and reproductive rights protections, including preserving access to abortion and defending reproductive healthcare in Los Angeles. Has endorsed measures and organizations that advance reproductive freedom and has pledged to make the city a safe haven for those seeking abortion care. Advocates for legislative protections consistent with codifying reproductive rights at the federal level and opposing restrictive bans.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive city-level climate action including a goal of 100% carbon-free/clean energy by 2035, divestment from coal in the city’s power supply, major federal funding for pollution reduction and investments in zero‑emission technology and green hydrogen, and other resilience and nature-based initiatives (tree planting, coastal and urban cooling programs).
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strengthening public-safety capacity while investing in community-led safety programs; backs efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers and to combat untraceable "ghost guns." Plans include restoring LAPD staffing and investing in specialized detectives alongside community-based violence-prevention efforts.
Latest News
Karen Bass is in the news because she is heading into the November Los Angeles mayoral runoff against Nithya Raman after the primary results were certified. She also has a clear fundraising advantage, reporting more money raised and more total campaign funds than Raman in the latest filing period. At the same time, she is facing renewed criticism over homelessness as encampments repopulate and the city’s latest count showed more unsheltered homelessness. Bass is also dealing with a defamation lawsuit from former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley over her campaign remarks about the Palisades fire response.
Bass’ Inside Safe teams went to these places. But so did the homeless
Karen Bass banks huge fundraising lead heading into mayoral runoff
Bass, Raman file latest campaign finance reports in mayoral race
Los Angeles mayoral race: See how your neighborhood voted
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2024Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2022
2024
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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