The race for Los Angeles mayor is growing more competitive as businessman Rick Caruso and U.S. Rep. Karen Bass barrel toward the upcoming Nov. 8 election.released this week, with Caruso, a billionaire and former-Republican-turned-Democratic candidate who runs a mostly self-funded campaign, leading by 3% over Bass, a congresswoman and former state Assembly speaker who is backed by labor groups.
The survey respondents also said both candidates would be equally successful at dealing with the aftermath of the scandals that have beset City Hall. Caruso, though, has tapped into the support of voters who have grown weary of rising crime and the worsening of the ongoing homeless crisis, which the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated.
When the city and county law enforcement agencies have multi-billion-dollar budgets, Jn-Marie said, elected officials could skimp on funding for housing initiatives. “We have to remember that this is a little-known businessman — not a career politician — who has been working hard to get his message out,” he said. “He’s been reaching out to different communities and he’s been getting out there in person, and I think it’s having an effect.”
Garry Fordyce, a longtime member of the North Hills West Neighborhood Council, said he was excited to find Caruso was slightly leading in the poll.