The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election remains closely contested, with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass holding a narrow lead over City Councilmember Nithya Raman as election officials continue counting ballots. The race has attracted national attention because voters are deciding whether Bass should receive another term or whether Raman should take over leadership of America’s second-largest city.
According to the latest reported figures from ABC7, Bass had received 292,876 votes, representing approximately 51% of the reported total. Raman had received 282,935 votes, or 49%. At that reporting point, approximately 49% of the expected vote had been counted, leaving the final outcome uncertain.
The close contest is one of the major local political stories emerging from California’s November 2026 elections. Voters also decided the state’s governor’s race, considered statewide ballot propositions and selected candidates for other local offices.
Although Bass currently leads, the remaining ballots could affect the final margin. For now, voters should treat the figures as developing election results rather than a certified victory.
Karen Bass Leads Nithya Raman in Los Angeles Mayor Race
Karen Bass entered the November election seeking another term as Los Angeles mayor. Her challenger, Nithya Raman, is a member of the Los Angeles City Council who entered the race after previously supporting Bass.
The latest ABC7 update placed Bass ahead by nearly 10,000 votes. The reported figures showed a competitive contest, with neither candidate holding a decisive advantage in the overall political debate surrounding the election.
NBC Los Angeles also reported Bass ahead in its results snapshot, with 294,723 votes compared with Raman’s 285,203. However, the NBC results page described the contest as too early to call, reinforcing the importance of waiting for additional ballot counts.
The Los Angeles mayoral election has become an important test of voter opinion about city leadership, public safety, housing affordability and homelessness.
For Bass, the election is an opportunity to defend her record and continue her administration’s policies. Raman has presented herself as an alternative, arguing that Los Angeles needs different approaches to persistent city problems.
Who Is Karen Bass?
Karen Bass became Los Angeles mayor in 2022 after a career in public service that included serving in the California State Assembly and the US House of Representatives.
During her first mayoral term, her administration focused on homelessness, affordable housing, public safety and city services.
Bass has highlighted efforts to move people from encampments into shelters, expand housing programs and address public safety concerns. She has also emphasized the importance of preparing Los Angeles for major international events, including the 2028 Olympic Games.
However, her administration has faced criticism over the city’s continuing homelessness crisis and its response to the devastating 2025 Palisades Fire.
The fire became a significant issue during the campaign. Critics questioned the city’s emergency preparedness and Bass’s leadership during the disaster. Her supporters have argued that her experience and familiarity with city government make her better positioned to continue managing Los Angeles.
The mayoral race therefore became a debate about leadership, accountability and whether voters wanted continuity or a change in direction.
Who Is Nithya Raman?
Nithya Raman is a Los Angeles City Councilmember who challenged Bass in the 2026 mayoral election.
An urban planner by background, Raman has focused on housing, homelessness, public safety and city government accountability.
She has argued that Los Angeles needs more effective solutions to its long-running problems. Her campaign criticized the city’s handling of homelessness and questioned whether existing spending has produced sufficient improvements for residents.
Raman also proposed changes to the city’s approach to public safety and police leadership. Her positions attracted support from progressive organizations and groups seeking changes in local government.
Her challenge became particularly significant because she had previously been an ally of Bass before entering the mayoral contest.
The election placed two prominent Democratic politicians against each other, creating a debate within the city’s Democratic electorate over policy priorities and leadership.
Why Is the LA Mayor Election So Close?
Several issues have shaped the contest between Bass and Raman.
Homelessness: Los Angeles continues to face a major homelessness challenge. Bass has defended her administration’s shelter and encampment programs, while Raman has argued for different strategies and stronger accountability for public spending.
Public safety: Crime, policing and emergency response have been important campaign issues. Bass has emphasized police staffing and public safety initiatives. Raman has called for changes in police leadership and improvements in how the city responds to community needs.
Housing affordability: High housing costs remain a major concern for Los Angeles residents. Both candidates have discussed affordable housing, but they have offered different approaches to city planning and development.
City services: Residents have raised concerns about street maintenance, public infrastructure, emergency services and the quality of local government operations.
Palisades Fire: The 2025 wildfire and its aftermath became a major point of criticism during Bass’s campaign for reelection.
These issues have made the mayoral contest about more than party politics. Voters are also evaluating how city government has handled problems that directly affect their neighborhoods and daily lives. The Associated Press identified homelessness, public safety and city services among the central issues in the race.
California Governor Election: Xavier Becerra Projected to Win
The Los Angeles mayoral race is only one part of California’s 2026 election results.
Democrat Xavier Becerra was projected to win the California governor’s race over Republican Steve Hilton, according to ABC7’s election coverage.
Becerra, a former California attorney general and former Biden administration official, is expected to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. His projected victory means California will continue to be led by a Democratic governor during the final two years of Trump’s second presidential term.
Hilton responded to the projected result with the remark, “Enjoy it while it lasts,” according to ABC7’s live election updates.
The governor’s race has national significance because California frequently takes positions that differ from the Trump administration on immigration, voting rights and other federal policy issues.
Proposition 39 Voter ID Measure Fails
California voters also considered 14 statewide propositions during the November 2026 election.
One notable result reported by ABC7 was the failure of Proposition 39, a measure that would have required voter identification.
The proposal became part of a broader debate about election security, voting access and the rules governing elections in California.
Ballot propositions can have significant effects on state policy because voters decide directly whether particular measures should become law or change existing legal requirements.
The results of the other propositions should be considered separately from the Los Angeles mayoral contest because each measure has its own vote count and certification process.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna Projected to Win Reelection
Another important local result involved Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
ABC7 reported that Luna was projected to win reelection against former sheriff Alex Villanueva.
The sheriff’s contest attracted attention because law enforcement, public safety and county-level policing remain major concerns across the region.
The sheriff’s office is separate from the Los Angeles Police Department. The mayor oversees city government and has influence over the city’s police department, while the county sheriff manages law enforcement responsibilities across areas served by the Sheriff’s Department.
The two offices therefore have different responsibilities, even though both play important roles in public safety across Los Angeles.
When Will the Los Angeles Mayor Election Results Be Final?
The Los Angeles mayoral election should not be considered officially decided until election officials complete the required counting and certification procedures.
California elections involve multiple types of ballots, including mail ballots and ballots cast in person. Officials must process eligible ballots, verify results and complete the canvass before certifying the final outcome.
Because the reported margin between Bass and Raman is relatively narrow, additional vote counts could change the numbers or the margin between the candidates.
News organizations may project a winner when their election desks determine that the remaining ballots are unlikely to change the outcome. That is different from the official certification issued by election authorities.
Readers following the LA mayor election results should therefore check updated figures rather than relying on an early election-night snapshot.
What Happens Next for Los Angeles?
The next mayor will face several major responsibilities, regardless of who ultimately wins.
Homelessness remains one of the city’s most visible challenges. Housing affordability, public safety, infrastructure and the availability of basic city services will also require continued attention.
Los Angeles is additionally preparing to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. That creates pressure to improve transportation, public facilities, visitor services and security while addressing residents’ everyday concerns.
If Bass secures another term, she will have an opportunity to continue her existing agenda. If Raman wins after the remaining ballots are counted, the city could see changes in its approach to housing, homelessness, policing and municipal accountability.
The election will also shape the political direction of Los Angeles within California and the wider national debate about urban leadership.
For now, the central development is clear: Karen Bass holds a narrow lead over Nithya Raman, but the mayoral contest remains too close to declare a final winner based on the available results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the LA mayor race in 2026?
Karen Bass is leading Nithya Raman in the reported results. However, the race has not been officially called in the available election updates.
How many votes does Karen Bass have?
An ABC7 update reported 292,876 votes for Bass, approximately 51% of the reported total.
How many votes does Nithya Raman have?
The same ABC7 update reported 282,935 votes for Raman, approximately 49%.
Has Karen Bass won reelection?
The reported lead does not by itself confirm a victory. The remaining ballots must be counted and the results officially certified.
Who won the California governor election in 2026?
Xavier Becerra was projected to defeat Republican Steve Hilton in the California governor’s race, according to ABC7.
Did Proposition 39 pass in California?
No. ABC7 reported that Proposition 39, which would have required voter identification, failed.
Who is the Los Angeles County sheriff in the 2026 election?
Robert Luna was projected to win reelection, according to ABC7’s election coverage.
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