An embattled Karen Bass is fighting tooth and nail to keep her mayorship in LA. It might be too late

With housing affordability a critical issue in the upcoming election, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is vigorously defending her position against a formidable challenger. In 2022, four major U.S. cities – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston – were led by Black mayors, a historic occurrence. However, six years later, Karen Bass is the only one remaining, facing a strong challenge from Nithya Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Raman has sparked controversy by refusing to fully endorse the BDS movement against Israel.

Bass attributes the shifting political landscape to a changing perception of what it means to be a Black mayor. She notes that while Black lives were once the focal point, people now place greater emphasis on issues like housing affordability. This shift has forced Black mayors to adapt and defend their positions more vigorously. In an interview, Bass highlighted the frustration within their ranks, stating that while they are once again popular, "we go out of popularity very quickly."

During her campaign, Bass has been drawing support from her staunchest supporters – Black voters. However, she acknowledges the demographic shift among younger voters, who overwhelmingly support her opponent, Nithya Raman. This shift, according to Bass, is primarily due to the demographic composition of DSA, which is predominantly white and Latino.

She expresses frustration over racial insensitivity she has encountered, citing a specific example of opposition to a Metro line proposal that would have passed through a predominantly Black neighborhood.

Despite these challenges, Bass is determined to survive the election and continues to campaign with renewed vigor. She is leaning on her legacy as a native Angeleno, urging her supporters to stay true to her vision while also reaching out to undecided voters.