With just three days left before the November 3 municipal election, Los Angeles voters are heading to ballot drop boxes and polling places to decide who will lead the city for the next four years. On Saturday, both major candidates – incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman – criss‑crossed the city delivering their final messages.
Mayor Bass emphasizes stability and Olympic opportunity
Mayor Bass began her day at a rally for union workers, underscoring her long‑standing support for organized labor. She then visited small businesses in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, telling residents that her administration is the best choice to guide Los Angeles through the challenges and opportunities that come with hosting the 2028 Summer Games.
“This is about affordability, safety, and opportunity,” Bass said. “The opportunities that are coming our way in the next two and a half years.” She framed the upcoming Olympics as a catalyst for job growth and infrastructure improvements that will benefit families across the city.
When pressed about her opponent’s record, Bass warned voters that Raman’s positions appear inconsistent. “I don’t know what her position is. One minute, she’s firing the police chief. The next minute, she’s not,” Bass said. “We need stability. We don’t need the uncertainty of somebody who wants to come in and experiment on our city.”
Raman counters with a call for accountability on homelessness and public safety
Councilmember Raman spent her Saturday speaking to hospitality‑union workers, judging a Halloween costume contest in Encino, and joining a tailgate outside the LA Memorial Coliseum for the USC‑Ohio State football game. She used each platform to criticize the current administration’s handling of public safety and homelessness.
“Under this mayor’s leadership, by every metric that matters for Angelenos, things have gotten worse in LA,” Raman said. She pledged to work with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to address homelessness with “the urgency that it deserves” and to ensure accountability in city services.
Voter concerns echo affordability and representation
NBCLA interviewed voters who said the cost of living, Proposition 40’s billionaire tax, and Latino representation are top priorities. One voter, Linda, explained, “Getting the costs down for people that can’t afford to live… it’s very difficult. I’m one of those now that have a fixed income.”
Both candidates acknowledged these concerns. Bass highlighted her record of securing funding for affordable‑housing projects, while Raman promised a comprehensive plan to expand shelter capacity and increase police presence in high‑crime areas.
What’s at stake for the city
The mayoral race is shaping up as a referendum on how Los Angeles will handle rapid growth, the looming Olympic Games, and the persistent challenges of homelessness and public safety. With the election so near, the final weekend of campaigning is likely to be decisive for undecided voters who weigh stability against calls for reform.
As the city prepares to cast its ballots, residents are reminded to verify their polling locations and consider early‑voting options. The outcome will determine the direction of Los Angeles policy for the next four years, influencing everything from neighborhood safety to the economic benefits tied to the 2028 Olympics.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
