A recent poll reveals that a significant portion of Los Angeles residents are dissatisfied with Mayor Karen Bass’ handling of historic wildfires, casting doubt on her re-election prospects in 2026. According to the poll, conducted by David Wolfson and sponsored by Madison McQueen, 54% of respondents criticized Mayor Bass’ wildfire response, while only 37% viewed it positively.
The survey, conducted in mid-January with a margin of error of ±4 percentage points, also highlighted potential challenges for Bass in the 2026 mayoral race. When asked about a hypothetical matchup between Mayor Bass and businessman Rick Caruso, who ran in the 2022 mayoral election, 43% of respondents said they would vote for Caruso, while only 36% favored Bass.
Mayor Bass has faced ongoing criticism for her administration’s response to the large-scale wildfires that have plagued Los Angeles in recent years. Issues such as lack of coordination with the city council, inefficient resource allocation, and delayed action have been cited as key concerns. These criticisms have fueled public discontent, weakening Bass’ political standing as she approaches the next election cycle.
Rick Caruso, a prominent businessman and potential candidate for the 2026 mayoral race, appears to be gaining significant traction among voters. Caruso has positioned himself as a pragmatic leader with a strong track record in business, appealing to residents seeking decisive leadership and effective solutions to the city’s challenges.
The poll results serve as a warning to Mayor Bass, signaling that failure to address public concerns could jeopardize not only her re-election bid but also her current political influence. To regain public trust, Bass will need to demonstrate stronger leadership and more effective policy implementation in the coming years.
The findings of this poll were obtained and reported by Politico.
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