Kamala Harris has weighed in on the LA mayor’s race and issued endorsements in a number of different contests — however refused to again a gubernatorial candidate.
The previous VP, who now lives in Malibu, endorsed incumbent Karen Bass for mayor of the second-largest metropolis within the US.
“She has my full assist for re-election,” the Democrat mentioned.
The 2 have identified one another for greater than 20 years and have been as soon as rumored rivals for the vice presidency when Joe Biden pledged to pick a lady as his operating mate in 2020.
Bass, who’s serving her first time period, was sworn in as mayor whereas Harris was nonetheless serving as vice chairman.
As Bass faces scrutiny and uncertainty in her re-election bid — notably amid backlash over her dealing with of the lethal Palisades fireplace — Harris pointed to her document on homelessness and crime.
“Mayor Karen Bass is the chief Los Angeles wants proper now. She has executed what so many mentioned couldn’t be executed — the first-ever two-year decline in homelessness, decreasing crime to ranges this metropolis hasn’t seen for the reason that Sixties, and refusing to again down when the federal authorities got here after our neighbors,” Harris mentioned in an announcement.
Within the Metropolis of Los Angeles, unsheltered homelessness decreased by simply 7.9%, whereas sheltered homelessness elevated by 4.7%, based on the Los Angeles Homeless Companies Authority.
Crime within the metropolis can also be steadily declining, with a 19% drop in homicides in 2025 in comparison with 2024. The variety of homicides in 2025 is the bottom since 1966, based on LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
Harris weighed in on the race simply as mail-in ballots reached residents, who at the moment are starting to make their decisions.
Whereas Bass is presently main her main opponents — Councilmember Nithya Raman and actuality TV star Spencer Pratt — she continues to face blended public notion. A majority view her unfavorably, whereas 13% don’t have any opinion.
The incumbent leads the pack with 25% of voter assist, although roughly 1 / 4 of Angelenos stay undecided, based on a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Research/Los Angeles Occasions ballot.
In the meantime, Metropolis Councilwoman Nithya Raman and actuality TV character Spencer Pratt are gaining floor on Bass, with 17% and 15% assist, respectively, the ballot exhibits.
Bass additionally confronted intense scrutiny in February 2026 following allegations that she directed the “watering down” of an after-action report on the January 2025 Palisades fireplace.
The report allegedly softened criticisms of LAFD failures, together with staffing selections, to keep away from authorized legal responsibility, although Bass has strongly denied the claims.
Whereas Harris remained on the sidelines of the high-stakes gubernatorial main, she didn’t hesitate to weigh in on a number of different key California races.
She threw her assist behind a slate of Democratic allies, endorsing Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis in her bid for state treasurer, in addition to incumbents Lawyer Normal Rob Bonta and State Controller Malia Cohen.
Harris prevented selecting between longtime colleagues Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra within the race to succeed Gavin Newsom. At the moment, Becerra leads the Democratic subject.
