In the days leading up to the election, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and her opponent Nithya Raman made their final rounds across the city, energizing their supporters as the countdown to Tuesday’s vote began. As both candidates continue to vie for the attention of L.A. voters, their campaign trails intersected, highlighting their evolution from allies to competitors.
The Weekend of Campaigning
Bass kicked off her Sunday with a visit to the South L.A. Cafe, engaging with a group of alumni from the Divine Nine, a network of historically Black fraternities and sororities. Her message underscored her consistent dedication to her community, a theme she reiterated during her radio appearance on KBLA-AM.
“You know who I am. I am the same person as I have been,” Bass asserted, reflecting on her history as a community organizer in South L.A. “No matter what position I have held, this community — my community — has always been front and center in my work.”
Among those present was Woodrow Bailey, a 63-year-old USC graduate and member of Phi Beta Sigma, who shared his longstanding connection with Bass dating back to her days with the nonprofit Community Coalition in the 1990s. His confidence in her leadership was evident as he remarked on her intentions for the community.
Following her engagement at the cafe, Bass attended services at four different churches and a Sikh temple, intending to cast her vote later that day.
Raman’s Active Campaign Stops
Meanwhile, Nithya Raman began her day at Dolores Mission Catholic Church in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood she has prioritized since the Lineage fire devastated a food storage facility, impacting local residents with harmful smoke.
Following a 9 a.m. Mass, Raman interacted with churchgoers in both English and Spanish and indulged in treats from a taco stand. Children played nearby, filling the atmosphere with energy as she met with potential voters.
Raman expressed the whirlwind of activity she faced, saying, “My calendar is so packed. I’m actually scared to look at it,” indicating her upcoming canvassing events and a Día de los Muertos celebration. She even noted a brief break to attend her twins’ birthday bowling party. Driven by a sense of urgency, she declared, “L.A. is frustrated and I will bring change. I’ve reduced homelessness and prioritized my constituents’ needs, and I want to extend that level of responsiveness throughout the city.”
As the campaign races towards election day, reports emerged about fundraising efforts, with Bass raising over $5.4 million, while Raman gathered about $2.7 million. Between October 18 and 28, Bass reported raising approximately $139,737, compared to Raman’s $122,498.
Current polling shows a neck-and-neck race, with the latest data from the UC Berkeley Institute indicating that 40% of likely voters support Raman, an equal 40% are behind Bass, and 19% remain undecided.
