Los Angeles Mayoral Fundraising Reveals Support Divides

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass outpaced Councilmember Nithya Raman in fundraising by over $300,000 during the first general election period. Campaign finance records indicate that Bass raised more than $510,000 in June, the highest month of her reelection campaign. In contrast, Raman gathered just over $170,000 in the same timeframe, ending on June 30.

Bass’s campaign reported $675,000 in publicly funded matching funds from the city, summing up to over $1.1 million raised in June. Meanwhile, Raman received over $500,000 in matching funds, bringing her total close to $750,000.

Bass emphasized in a statement that the successful June fundraising reflects voters’ awareness of high stakes in the election, and their commitment to securing a win in November.

Bass and Raman secured the leading positions in the city’s June 2 mayoral primary. The runoff election is set for November 3. Initially, Spencer Pratt was second in the primary, but as mail-in ballots were counted, Raman was declared the second-place winner by the Associated Press on June 8. Bass led the primary with approximately 34% of the vote, whereas Raman gained 29%, with Pratt receiving about 26%.

Raman stated that much of Bass’s financial backing comes from vested interests. Bass’s funding sources include companies like Airbnb and Douglas Emmett Properties. Raman criticized the corporate landlords and other influential groups supporting Bass which spent record sums to uphold the current system. However, Raman remains hopeful, as her grassroots campaign gains momentum with thousands of small donations.

Raman proclaimed, “Los Angeles is not for sale,” promising to fulfill Angelenos’ demand for change.

Bass’s contributors include celebrities, politicians, and business leaders. Notable donations came from director J.J. Abrams and Debra Lee, former BET chairman and CEO, each giving the maximum $1,800. L.A. City Councilmembers Imelda Padilla and Heather Hutt donated smaller amounts, with contributions of $500 and $100, respectively.

Raman received funds from diverse sources, including Rick Cole, a former aide to City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and Laura Chick, an ex-City Controller known for her critical stance at City Hall. Raman also raised $100 from Jillian Burgos, a Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidate for L.A. City Council.

The money will fund essential campaign activities, such as TV and social media ads, and direct mailers. Both candidates are prohibited from using primary funds for general election expenses. During the primary, Bass amassed over $3.2 million, whereas Raman raised just under $1 million. Both candidates received the maximum matching funds during the primary, totaling $1,257,000 apiece.

Bass announced her reelection bid in July 2024, giving her more time to fundraise, while Raman entered the race in February at the filing deadline. Bass enjoyed significant support from independent expenditure groups, which spent over $2.5 million supporting her and $1.2 million opposing Raman. Only $88,000 was expended to support Raman.