Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Launches Re‑Election Campaign Amid Fire Recovery and Housing Crisis

On Saturday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially kicked off her re‑election bid with a rally downtown, pledging to make the city safer and more affordable while positioning herself against the Trump administration.

The event, held at the Los Angeles Trade‑Technical College Culinary Arts event space, came two days after the third anniversary of her swearing‑in.

Bass stood before a crowd of family, friends and allies, declaring, “This is just overwhelming. I have to tell you my heart is so full,” she added.

She emphasized the power of unity, noting, “They say we can’t come together. Labor can’t come together with business, and business can’t come together with community, and the faith community can’t come together. But we all come together always,” Bass said.

Bass concluded that the relationships in the room were built on shared justice, not campaign politics, adding, “And I’m proud to say that the relationships in this room aren’t relationships because of the campaign … They are relationships because we all believe in justice.”

Campaign Launch

Bass’s rally was a blend of celebration and political strategy, as she highlighted her record and outlined her priorities for the next four years.

She framed her platform around safety, affordability, and a renewed commitment to confronting federal policies she described as hostile.

At the start of the event, Bass referenced the Trump administration, saying, “Who would have imagined that we would have to defend ourselves from our very government?”

She also drew attention to the city’s recent challenges, including the recovery from January’s Palisades Fire and the ongoing housing affordability and homelessness crises.

The mayor emphasized her executive order No. 1, which was codified into an ordinance by the City Council earlier this month to permanently streamline affordable housing projects.

She also highlighted the Inside Safe program, noting its role in reducing street homelessness over the past two years.

Safety and Housing

Bass underscored her commitment to reducing crime, stating, “The city I’ve been in my whole life, the city that I love, I feel we have accomplished a lot, but we’re not done.”

She pointed to the city’s progress in lowering crime rates and working toward its zero‑emissions goal as evidence of effective governance.

The mayor also spoke about the permanent al fresco initiative that has revitalized downtown and attracted new businesses.

She claimed that the initiative has boosted union jobs, citing increased employment opportunities for local workers.

Bass reiterated her focus on affordability, promising to keep LA affordable until a single paycheck is enough for families.

She added, “Until every Palisadian is back home. I will not rest until LA is affordable, until one paycheck is enough and families don’t have to double up or triple up. And I will not rest until there are no Angelenos on our streets.”

Fire Recovery

Bass highlighted the city’s recovery from January’s Palisades Fire, describing it as a devastating event that gutted thousands of homes and businesses and claimed 12 lives.

She criticized the response to the fire, saying the city showed a “failure of leadership” as historically strong winds spread flames through the expensive coastal enclave.

Bass noted that she was in Ghana as part of a presidential delegation attending John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration when the fire broke out.

She emphasized the need for better disaster preparedness and faster rebuilding permits.

The mayor also mentioned that the city had made progress in reducing crime during the recovery period.

She pledged to continue working toward a safer, more resilient Los Angeles.

Housing Initiatives

Bass described her executive order No. 1 as a key tool to permanently streamline affordable housing projects, an ordinance that the City Council enacted earlier this month.

She also highlighted the Inside Safe program, which has contributed to a two‑year reduction in street homelessness.

The mayor claimed that the program has helped families find stable housing and access essential services.

Bass emphasized that affordable housing remains a top priority, stating that she will keep pushing for new projects.

She pointed out that the city’s housing strategy also includes fast‑tracking approvals for disaster rebuilding permits.

Bass reiterated her commitment to ensuring that the city remains livable for all residents.

Economic and Union Jobs

Bass highlighted the permanent al fresco initiative as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and job creation.

She noted that the initiative has attracted new businesses and increased employment opportunities for local workers.

The mayor emphasized that the initiative has boosted union jobs, strengthening the city’s labor market.

She also mentioned that her administration has supported small businesses and encouraged investment in the city’s core.

Bass claimed that these efforts have helped maintain a robust economy amid rising costs.

She stated that the city’s economic policies aim to create sustainable growth for all Angelenos.

Environmental Goals

Bass said that the city has made progress toward its zero‑emissions goal, citing reductions in traffic and increased use of public transportation.

She emphasized that the city’s climate strategy includes modernizing systems and developing community‑based response plans.

The mayor pointed out that the city has invested in green infrastructure and clean energy projects.

She highlighted that the city’s environmental policies are aligned with state and federal initiatives.

Bass stated that she will continue to pursue aggressive climate targets for Los Angeles.

She added that the city’s environmental progress is a testament to effective leadership.

Allies and Endorsements

Allies present at Bass’s rally included City Council President Marqueece Harris‑Dawson and council members Hugo Soto‑Martinez, Curren Price, Heather Hutt and Adrin Nazarian.

Assembly members Sade Elhawary (D‑South LA), Isaac Bryan (D‑LA), Jesse Gabriel (D‑Encino), Mike Fong (D‑Alhambra), state Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D‑South LA) and former state Sen. Steven Bradford (D‑Inglewood) also attended.

The rally was attended by a mix of local leaders and community representatives.

Bass thanked the supporters for their commitment to the city’s future.

She emphasized that the relationships in the room were built on shared justice.

Bass concluded that the rally was a testament to the city’s resilience.

Opposition and Criticism

Roxanne Hoge, chair of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, released a statement criticizing Bass’s tenure.

She said, “Karen Bass should be embarrassed to ask voters to give her the keys to a car she’s run into a ditch repeatedly,” and added, “Whether it’s watching poor mentally‑ill, drug‑addicted souls dying on the streets or presiding over corruption and filth in the city of Los Angeles, nothing the current mayor has done suggests she deserves a second term in office — especially with the upcoming Olympics and World Cup about to put her dysfunction on the world stage.”

The statement highlighted Hoge’s view that Bass has failed to address crime and corruption.

The opposition also cited Bass’s handling of the Palisades Fire as a weakness.

They argued that the city’s response was slow and inadequate.

The criticism reflects growing dissatisfaction among some voters.

Challengers

Three candidates have formally announced campaigns against Bass.

Austin Beutner, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, criticized Bass’s record on crime and development.

He told the Los Angeles Times that the city showed a “failure of leadership” as historically strong winds spread flames through the expensive coastal enclave, gutting thousands of homes and businesses and killing 12 people.

Rae Huang, a deputy director of Housing Now California, pledged to “make housing affordable for all … make transit free, safe and fast” and to “make sure that wages and work are dignified.”

Asaad Alnajjar, a Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council member and longtime city employee, outlined a plan to resolve homelessness by addressing drug addiction, alcoholism, loss of income, and providing housing at a reasonable cost to the city, stating: “Resolve homelessness by going to the roots of the issues facing families that are unhoused, such as drug addiction/alcoholism, loss of income due to job loss, and providing housing at a reasonable cost to the city.”

He also called for fast‑tracking affordable housing approvals and disaster rebuilding permits, cutting through bureaucracy, and strengthening wildfire prevention and disaster readiness with modernized systems and well‑planned, effective community‑based response plans, saying: “Fast‑track affordable housing approvals and disaster rebuilding permits, cutting through bureaucracy.”

Polls and Public Opinion

A poll conducted by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies between Feb. 17‑26 surveyed 5,184 registered voters in Los Angeles County.

It found that 30% rated Bass’s response to the Palisades Fire as “very poor,” while another 14% said it was a poor job.

The poll also reported that 18% viewed her performance as fair, 12% as good, and 6% as excellent.

Additionally, 20% of respondents had no opinion about her performance.

The results highlight a range of perceptions among voters regarding the mayor’s handling of recent crises.

The poll was released to the public on February 26, and the findings are expected to influence the upcoming election.

Upcoming Election and Next Steps

The mayoral election will take place on June 2.

If no candidate secures a majority of the vote, a runoff will be held on Nov. 3 between the top two finishers.

Bass’s campaign plans to focus on safety, affordability, and economic revitalization in the months leading up to the election.

She has pledged to continue her work on climate goals and disaster preparedness.

Her opponents have outlined their own platforms, emphasizing education, housing, and public safety.

The election is expected to be closely contested, reflecting the city’s diverse political landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Bass launched her re‑election campaign with a rally emphasizing unity, safety, and affordability.
• She highlighted her record on fire recovery, affordable housing, and economic revitalization.
• Critics, including Republican chair Roxanne Hoge and challengers Beutner, Huang, and Alnajjar, have called her performance insufficient.
• A recent poll shows mixed voter sentiment about her handling of the Palisades Fire.
• The June 2 election may trigger a Nov. 3 runoff if no majority is achieved.
• The race will likely hinge on issues such as crime, housing, climate, and disaster preparedness.

Los Angeles voters face a pivotal decision in the upcoming mayoral race, with Bass seeking to build on her record while challengers and critics question her leadership. The outcome will shape the city’s trajectory on safety, affordability, and environmental goals for years to come.