The New Yorker Radio Hour · 2026-08-03 · 15 min · 2,341 words

The Democratic Socialist Running for Mayor of Los Angeles

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The New Yorker Radio Hour is a co-production of WNYC and the New Yorker. This is the New York Radio Hour. I'm David Remnick. An incumbent mayor of Los Angeles hasn't lost a bid for re-election. In a quarter century. And so under normal circumstances, this election should be pretty smooth sailing for a Democrat.

Like Karen Bass. But Bass's first term has been full of bad headlines. Headlines in particular about her handling the devastating wildfires of last year. And also about a homelessness crisis that seems to many Angelinos. to be absolutely out of control.

A so-called jungle primary in June saw a surprisingly potent challenge from a conservative. Reality TV star. Spencer Pratt. And also from a former ally of Bass's, Nithya Raman. Raman now faces Bass in the runoff.

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