Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces recall efforts

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing growing criticism for her handling of recent wildfires that devastated parts of the city. Many residents are unhappy with her response, with a recent poll showing that 54% of Angelenos disapprove of her performance during this crisis. The poll results suggest that if the 2026 mayoral election were held now, Bass would lose to her previous challenger, real estate developer Rick Caruso, by 7 points. This comes as her approval ratings continue to drop amid increasing issues in Los Angeles. Public figures, including Silicon Valley philanthropist Nicole Shanahan, are supporting efforts to recall Bass from office. Shanahan stated that Los Angeles has faced enough challenges and called for a change in leadership. Some critics argue that any new leader would likely do better than Bass. They compare her situation to past elections in Los Angeles and New York City, where new leadership successfully turned around struggling cities. However, they caution that the outcome is not guaranteed, using Chicago's recent experience with its unpopular mayor as an example. In summary, while there is a strong push for Bass to be replaced, there are concerns about ensuring that her successor is capable of addressing the city's challenges effectively.