Mayor Karen Bass wasted little time defining the contours of the November mayoral runoff Tuesday, using her first campaign event after Nithya Raman’s advancement to portray the councilmember as out of step with Los Angeles on homelessness, public safety and economic development.
Speaking before a coalition of labor, business, immigrant rights, entertainment industry and Democratic Party leaders at East End Studios, Bass framed the runoff as a choice between her record as mayor and what she described as Raman’s failure to support key city priorities.
“Last Tuesday, we won,” Bass told supporters gathered at the studio. “In November, we’ll win again.”
The event came one day after the Associated Press projected Raman would advance to the November runoff after overtaking former reality television star Spencer Pratt in late vote counting over the weekend.
While Bass spent much of the primary campaign highlighting her record and responding to criticisms from multiple challengers, Tuesday’s event offered one of the clearest previews yet of how her campaign intends to run against Raman.
“This November, voters will have a clear choice between myself and Nithya Raman, a difference that is made crystal clear because we have been changing L.A.,” Bass said, pointing to her administration’s efforts to reduce homelessness, invest in public safety programs and support the film industry.
Bass accused Raman of repeatedly voting to allow encampments near schools, opposing efforts to increase police staffing and failing to support initiatives aimed at helping bring film production back to Los Angeles.
“While some people, including the councilwoman, have fought to take L.A. backwards or for the status quo,” Bass said.
Raman’s campaign rejected that characterization, arguing that voters are looking for a different approach to City Hall.
“An overwhelming majority of Angelenos just voted to replace the current mayor because they’re sick of the status quo—and so am I,” Raman said in a statement provided after the Bass event. “I’m running to bring new urgency to lower housing costs, end street homelessness and build a city that works. I invite anyone else who’s ready for change to join our campaign.”
The statement echoed themes Raman emphasized throughout the primary campaign, including calls for greater urgency and accountability in addressing housing affordability and homelessness.
The choice of venue highlighted one of the campaign’s central messages.
Standing inside East End Studios, which is located near the Sixth Street Bridge, Bass pointed to efforts by her administration to support the entertainment industry amid concerns about productions leaving California.
“Three years ago, where we are did not exist,” Bass said, describing the studio as a project accelerated through executive directive that cut red tape and sped up construction.
Several speakers highlighted Bass’ support for film and television jobs, labor partnerships and economic development.
Malakhi Simmons, vice president of IATSE Local 728, who spoke on behalf of the California IATSE Council, credited Bass with helping secure film and television tax incentives and working with industry stakeholders to address production challenges.
“This is not the moment for our city to be handed over to someone who’s managed nothing larger than a council district,” Simmons said.
Supporters repeatedly emphasized Bass’ ability to bring together groups that do not always agree politically, including labor unions, business organizations and immigrant rights groups.
Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark Ramos argued that Bass had demonstrated an ability to govern a large and diverse city, while criticizing Raman for being focused on only certain parts of Los Angeles and absent from some important citywide issues.
“I think what the body looked at was the stark difference of Mayor Bass actually being invested in the city, understanding that the city is 470 square miles, and it is diverse from end-to-end,” Ramos said in an interview. “It is not one council district.”
Bass campaign strategist Douglas Herman said the runoff would present voters with a clear contrast.
“One candidate, Nithya Raman, would allow encampments near schools,” Herman said. “And given the opportunity to help make the city safer and increase the size of the police force, Nithya Raman also repeatedly voted to cut the size of the police force.”
As supporters waved “Vote Karen Bass” signs and periodically broke into chants of “Four more years,” Bass closed the event by urging volunteers to begin organizing for months ahead.
“Are we ready to knock on doors?” she asked the crowd. “Are we ready to make those calls?”