Rick Caruso opposes Los Angeles Mayor Bass's recall

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing a recall effort after destructive fires in the Palisades and Eaton areas. These fires burned over 37,000 acres and destroyed more than 16,000 buildings. Bass was in Ghana representing President Joe Biden during the crisis. Rick Caruso, who ran against Bass in the 2022 election, spoke out against the recall. He called for unity, saying that Los Angeles needs to focus on rebuilding rather than political distractions. Caruso emphasized the importance of getting people back into their homes and reopening businesses. Caruso's post gained significant attention, leading to speculation about his political future. He recently changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and has previously held a commissioner position in the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power. Governor Gavin Newsom is nearing the end of his term in 2026, leaving the governor's race open. Caruso's comments sparked interest about a potential run for governor. Since taking office, Bass has cut $17.6 million from the emergency services budget, which critics say affected the fire departments’ effectiveness. Still, Bass intends to run for re-election in 2026 and is committed to leading the recovery efforts. A petition calling for Bass’s resignation has garnered over 330,000 signatures, highlighting the discontent among some residents.