Former LA mayoral candidate Rick Caruso to vote for Mayor Karen Bass

Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, announced he will vote for the incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming election, CBS News Los Angeles reported. Caruso, known for developing The Grove and Palisades Village, lost to Bass in the 2022 mayoral race.

Caruso shared his decision in a video posted on social media, stating that despite past disagreements, his recent collaboration with Bass on the Palisades Fire rebuilding efforts restored his confidence in her leadership. He believes Bass is learning from her mistakes and is the right person to lead Los Angeles through ongoing challenges.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Caruso expressed concerns about Bass's rival, LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, particularly questioning her competence and comprehensive plans for the city. Caruso also criticized Raman's approach to the Los Angeles Police Department and her record on housing and homelessness.

Caruso told CBS Los Angeles he spoke directly with Bass before making his announcement, seeking a commitment to work together on major city issues, which Bass agreed to. Raman's campaign responded by highlighting an endorsement from LA County Supervisor Lyndsey Horvath.

Caruso's decision to vote for Bass marks a notable shift given his previous criticisms and the significant financial investment he made in his own mayoral campaign. Both Caruso and Bass have expressed intentions to collaborate moving forward to address Los Angeles's challenges.