Caruso Says He Will Vote for Bass, Stops Short of Endorsement

Rick Caruso says he will vote for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the Nov. 3 election, but he has stopped short of endorsing her. Caruso, who lost to Bass in the 2022 mayoral race, announced his decision in a social media statement and video and discussed it in an interview. He said he had weighed both candidates before deciding to cast his ballot for the incumbent. Caruso said working with Bass on recovery efforts after the January 2025 Palisades Fire influenced his choice. He credited her with cooperating on rebuilding and helping fire survivors return to their homes, and said he had seen her learn from past mistakes. Those assessments reflect Caruso’s stated views of Bass and her record. Bass said she was honored by Caruso’s support and praised his work with Steadfast LA, his nonprofit, on rebuilding the Palisades. She said they had worked together on the Palisades Recreation Center and on efforts to reopen Palisades Village, Caruso’s shopping center. Caruso has said the city expedited permitting and provided resources to help reopen the mall, while he asked for no personal assistance. Caruso also criticized Bass’s challenger, City Councilmember Nithya Raman, particularly...