U.S. Rep. Karen Bass widened her lead over businessman Rick Caruso in the race for Los Angeles’ mayor, according to the latest results from the Los Angeles County Registrar as of 3:30 p.m., Nov. 16.
Bass had 53.06 percent of the vote to Caruso’s 46.94 percent. The gap expanded to about 46,600 votes, from 9,000 votes Nov. 12. Caruso initially held a narrow lead over Bass after election night.
The next election update will be Nov. 17.
The winner of the race will replace termed-out Eric Garcetti, who took office in 2013.
Bass and Caruso, though both Democrats, differ on how to address homelessness and public safety, which are the top issues Angelenos want the next mayor to address, according to polling.
To address the city’s homeless crisis, Caruso wants to enforce restrictions on encampments in public areas while offering services to those in need. Bass advocates for more housing and outreach as a way to reduce encampments, without enforcing the city’s anti-camping ordinance.
According to the 2022 Los Angeles point-in-time count released by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there are about 42,000 homeless people countywide, a 1.7 percent increase from the last count conducted in 2020.
Regarding public safety, both vowed to strengthen the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)—which is short about 300 personnel, according to officials—by hiring hundreds more officers.
Crime is on the rise, the latest LAPD statistics show. Chief Michel Moore reported a 45 percent increase in robberies involving a firearm compared to 2019 and a nearly 4 percent increase in violent crime compared to the same time last year.
Bass also plans to implement “police reform” to reduce “racial profiling” and “ensure that police are held accountable when discharging their weapon,” according to her campaign website.
The congresswoman is also running on a platform to keep Los Angeles’s values progressive and has received endorsements from former President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and dozens of other state and federal Democrats.
Caruso, a billionaire builder known for constructing some of Los Angeles’ most beloved malls and plazas, started as a Republican, later became an Independent, and eventually registered as a Democrat before entering the race in February. He is endorsed by the Los Angeles Protective League, among others, and several celebrities such as music manager Scooter Braun, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Chris Pratt, and Snoop Dogg.
