Story perspectives

Caruso Endorses Karen Bass, Slams LAPD Chief Plan

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 4:56 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Rick Caruso announced he will vote for Mayor Karen Bass on Oct. 26, 2026.
He praised Bass’s cooperation on rebuilding Pacific Palisades after the 2025 fire.
He called councilmember Nithya Raman’s plan to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reckless.
Bass’s campaign thanked Caruso, noting his nonprofit Steadfast LA helped build the Palisades Recreation Center.
A UC Berkeley poll the Los Angeles Times found two-thirds of voters dissatisfied with Bass, who trails Raman.

History

Historical Context

The November 2018 Woolsey Fire, which destroyed 1,600 structures and caused $1.8 billion in damages, forced Los Angeles officials to revamp emergency response. Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and developer Rick Caruso funded a $45 million temporary shelter program for displaced residents. Similarly, in the 2026 mayoral race, Caruso backs Karen Bass, praises her rebuilding Palisades after the 2025 fire, and attacks Nithya Raman’s plan to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. The pattern shows how disaster-driven rebuilding initiatives become pivotal campaign issues, shaping voter sentiment and influencing future city-wide resilience policies.

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Story summary

Rick Caruso announced he will vote for Mayor Karen Bass on Oct. 26, 2026.
He praised Bass’s cooperation on rebuilding Pacific Palisades after the 2025 fire.
He called councilmember Nithya Raman’s plan to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reckless.
Bass’s campaign thanked Caruso, noting his nonprofit Steadfast LA helped build the Palisades Recreation Center.
A UC Berkeley poll the Los Angeles Times found two-thirds of voters dissatisfied with Bass, who trails Raman.

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