LA Mayor Bass falls behind Nithya Raman in new LA poll

A new poll shows Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass trailing City Councilmember Nithya Raman in a hypothetical matchup. The survey, conducted by a local research firm, found Raman leading Bass by a margin of 48% to 42% among likely voters.

The poll, which sampled 800 registered voters in Los Angeles, also measured approval ratings for both officials. Bass received a 44% approval rating, while Raman garnered 52% approval. The survey was conducted from February 10 to 15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Raman, who represents the city's 4th Council District, has been a vocal critic of Bass's handling of homelessness and public safety. The poll results suggest growing dissatisfaction with Bass's leadership, particularly among younger voters and progressive Democrats.

Bass's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The mayor, who took office in December 2022, has faced challenges including a surge in homelessness and rising crime rates. The poll indicates that these issues may be eroding her support base.