Los Angeles’ mayoral race is tightening as City Councilmember Nithya Raman gains ground on incumbent Karen Bass—and new campaign finance filings show Raman has slightly outraised the mayor with only weeks remaining before Election Day.
The latest disclosures show Bass has collected roughly $2.51 million through direct contributions and public matching funds. Raman has brought in about $2.53 million.
Each candidate has received at least $1 million in matching funds. Under Los Angeles’ public financing system, candidates receive $6 in taxpayer funds for every $1 contributed by eligible local donors.
Raman also holds the cash advantage. Financial records show her campaign with approximately $1.9 million on hand, compared with nearly $1.2 million for Bass.
The fundraising figures arrive as Raman, a progressive councilmember, gains momentum in her effort to defeat Bass. One recent poll put Raman ahead of the incumbent, 39% to 28%, though Bass’ campaign has rejected the survey as an outlier.
Last week, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted Raman at his Santa Monica office, where she met with a packed gathering of Hollywood figures, business executives and civic leaders.
Schwarzenegger has not endorsed Raman. Still, the meeting offered her an opportunity to reach influential people who might otherwise be unreceptive to her political views.
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Both campaigns are pointing to their fundraising totals as evidence that they have strong support heading into the final stretch.
“Mayor Bass has the backing of the political establishment and corporations, but our campaign is powered by an extraordinary wave of grassroots support from Angelenos who are ready to change the direction of our city,” Raman said in a statement Friday.
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Bass campaign chief strategist Julie C. Rodriguez said in a statement that “Mayor Bass and her entire operation have been hard at work doing everything needed to win.” She added that the campaign was funding advertising designed to contrast Bass’ policies “with Nithya Raman’s paper-thin record and out-of-touch positions.”
Outside organizations are also entering the contest, spending millions to support or oppose the two Democratic candidates.
Raman has received backing from the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters and Aaron Sosnick, a Reno-based hedge fund manager. Together, they have contributed a combined $6 million.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents the city’s officers at the rank of lieutenant and below, and Airbnb have spent at least $4.55 million to support Bass.
