With the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race heating up, Mayor Karen Bass is facing mounting political pressure from both the left and the right as polling shows a volatile and increasingly unpredictable field.
While Bass still leads in several recent surveys, challengers including Nithya Raman and media personality Spencer Pratt have gained traction amid voter frustration over homelessness, public safety, wildfire recovery and the city’s overall direction. One recent UCLA Luskin poll found roughly 40% of voters still undecided, underscoring how fluid the race remains heading into the June primary.
Against that backdrop, Bass headed to Sacramento this week in what many political observers see as both a policy mission and a campaign-era demonstration of leadership, pushing for more state support tied to homelessness, housing, wildfire recovery and preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Bass met with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón and several state lawmakers while also testifying before legislators regarding Los Angeles’ Olympic preparations.
The mayor continues to lean heavily on her Sacramento relationships and legislative background as part of her governing image. During her time as Speaker of the California Assembly, Bass earned praise for bipartisan budget negotiations following the Great Recession and for helping launch California’s first Film and TV Tax Credit program — a measure many in the entertainment industry credit with helping keep production jobs in the state.
Now, Bass is attempting to convince voters that her administration is delivering measurable progress on some of Los Angeles’ most difficult crises.
“For so many years, homelessness only went up in Los Angeles, and housing was dramatically underbuilt,” Bass said during the trip. “Now, we have reversed these longstanding trends, and we are seeking to continue our strong partnership with the state to accelerate our progress.”
Her office highlighted statistics showing street homelessness declining for two consecutive years under her administration — something City Hall has framed as a major milestone after years of increases. Officials also pointed to a reported decline in homeless mortality for the first time in a decade.
Still, Bass faces growing scrutiny over whether the progress is visible enough to Angelenos who remain frustrated by encampments, affordability issues and public safety concerns. Critics and opponents in the mayoral race continue to argue that the city’s response has not gone far enough.
During the Sacramento meetings, Bass advocated for restoring California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program funding to $1 billion for cities statewide. She also pushed for amendments to pending housing legislation that would make it easier to acquire interim housing sites.
Wildfire recovery was another central focus of the visit, especially following the devastating Pacific Palisades fire that continues to shape public perception of Bass’ leadership.
The mayor called for mortgage relief for impacted homeowners, stronger oversight of insurance companies, additional rebuilding funds and expanded environmental testing and remediation standards after wildfires. The issue remains politically sensitive after Bass faced intense criticism for being overseas when the fires erupted last year.
Bass also continued lobbying efforts tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, requesting additional funding for transportation upgrades, infrastructure improvements, public safety resources and mobility projects surrounding Olympic venues.
Among those Bass met with during the trip were Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Senator Laura Richardson, Senator Christopher Cabaldon, Assemblymember John Harabedian and Assemblymember Mark González.
