Caruso to vote for Bass in mayoral runoff after fire rebuilding work
The billionaire developer cites months of collaboration on Palisades reconstruction as the reason for his support, though he stops short of a formal endorsement.
By Kavya Lin ·
Billionaire developer Rick Caruso announced on Monday that he will cast his ballot for incumbent Mayor Karen Bass against challenger Nithya Raman. Caruso, who defeated Bass in the 2022 primary before losing the general election, stated that his decision stems from close cooperation with the mayor during the recovery efforts for the Palisades fire.
In a written statement, Caruso said he observed Bass evolve in the role. "I have seen her grow into this job. I have seen firsthand her dedication, her willingness to work together, and her commitment to helping families and communities rebuild their lives," he wrote. A spokesperson for Caruso clarified that the comment is an expression of his personal voting intent rather than an official endorsement.
Caruso’s support marks a shift from his previous public stance. Since losing the mayoral race, he has frequently criticized Bass online regarding her management of the homelessness crisis and the fire response. However, he began to soften his tone following the June primary election. Last month, he joined Bass at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Palisades Recreation Center, a project funded in part by his nonprofit, Steadfast LA.
The developer has also raised specific objections to Raman’s platform. At an event at his Palisades Village shopping center last week, Caruso expressed concern over Raman’s intention to replace Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell. "I do show extreme concern when a candidate is talking about firing a chief of police," he said. He also described Raman’s record as former head of the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee as "troubling."
Bass responded to the news by saying she was honored to have Caruso’s vote. "Rick and I have a long history of working together to solve big problems," she said in a statement. "I look forward to working with him over the next four years to solve major problems in our city."
Caruso, who registered as a Democrat in 2022 after previously identifying as a Republican, owns properties including the Grove, the Americana at Brand, and Palisades Village. He considered running for mayor again this year but decided against it. The Raman campaign declined to comment on Caruso’s announcement.
The next step in the election process remains the general vote, where Bass and Raman will compete for the office.
Source: Los Angeles Times
