Get to Know the 14 Candidates Running for LA Mayor
June Primary Approaches in Los Angeles Mayoral Race
As the June primary nears, Los Angeles voters are gearing up to make crucial decisions about the city’s leadership, including the mayoral position. This election features 14 certified candidates vying for the top office, with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass seeking reelection.
Context and Candidates
The primary will determine which individuals advance to the November general election, with additional races for City Controller, City Attorney, and multiple City Council districts. Bass, who previously served 11 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, declared a state of emergency on her first day as mayor to confront the homelessness crisis. However, she has faced criticism from residents and officials who argue that her administration needs to do more to tackle homelessness and the soaring cost of living.
Bass has also been scrutinized for her absence from the city during the early stages of the Palisades Fire. She has termed allegations of mishandling the crisis as "completely fabricated," according to the Los Angeles Times.
A diverse array of candidates has emerged, each presenting different solutions to pressing urban issues such as homelessness, housing affordability, public safety, and the rising cost of living.
Candidate Profiles
Reverend Rae Huang: An ordained Presbyterian minister and housing advocate, Huang launched her campaign with a focus on housing affordability. She is the deputy director of Housing Now California and, if elected, could become Los Angeles’ first Asian American mayor.
Adam Miller: This nonprofit executive prioritizes addressing homelessness and stabilizing rent costs. He identifies as a lifelong Democrat with working-class roots.
Spencer Pratt: Best known for his role on MTV’s The Hills, Pratt’s decision to run was spurred by the destruction of his family home in the Palisades fire. “I’m done waiting for someone to take real action,” he asserted.
Nithya Raman: A City Councilwoman reelected in 2024, Raman has expressed alignment with Bass on various issues but aims to emphasize affordability and housing in her campaign.
Juanita Lopez: A political scientist with degrees from UC Irvine, Lopez is focusing on city cleanliness, financial transparency, and reinstating the no-littering law.
John Logsdon: Serving as a board member in Westchester, little information about his campaign has been publicly shared.
Tish Hyman: A Grammy-nominated musician, Hyman’s platform includes homelessness and economic revitalization.
Nelson Cheng: A behavioral interventionist, Cheng is committed to traffic and crime reduction and addressing homelessness.
Andrej A. Selivra: As a registered independent and second-generation immigrant, Selivra is focused on housing creation and improving transit in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Asaad Alnajaar: An engineering manager for Los Angeles with nearly four decades of service, his campaign emphasizes support for homelessness solutions and public safety.
Bryant Acosta: Emphasizing affordability, green energy, and local economic development, Acosta presents an ambitious vision for the city’s future.
Suzy Kim: Information about her campaign has not been readily available.
Andrew J. Kim: Previously a mayoral candidate in 2022, Kim aims to address crime, homelessness, and economic rebuilding this time around.
Notably, former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner has suspended his campaign following a personal tragedy, while developer Rick Caruso has opted not to run.
Looking Ahead
With the primary approaching, the results will be pivotal in shaping the future leadership of Los Angeles. The top two candidates from the primary will proceed to the general election in November, setting the stage for a potentially transformative season in the city’s governance.
