There's a big election this year, and we are not just talking about the congressional midterm races. There's a lot of consequential local races, too, including one for LA's next mayor. As incumbent mayor Karen Bass Bass campaigns to stay in office, there's a big question about how much LA's fire recovery will dominate the political narrative — and your vote. There's more than a dozen candidates currently on the ballot. Can Bass hold on to her seat? Or could councilmember Nithya Raman or reality star Spencer Pratt take it?

GUEST: Noah Goldberg, City Hall Reporter, Los Angeles Times.

Voter guide to the 2026 California primary election: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-01/2026-california-election-voter-guide-primaryIn

L.A. mayor’s race, everyone is campaigning on change — even the incumbent: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-06/in-la-mayors-race-everyone-is-campaigning-on-change-even-incumbent

In L.A. mayor’s race, controversial poll shows Nithya Raman ahead of Karen Bass: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-30/in-la-mayors-race-controversial-poll-shows-nithya-raman-ahead-of-incumbent-karen-bass

Pratt and Raman lead Bass in latest fundraising for L.A. mayoral race: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-24/pratt-raman-lead-bass-in-latest-fundraising-for-la-mayoral-race

Spencer Pratt’s time in Santa Barbara County likely won’t affect his bid for L.A. mayor, analysts say: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-10/spencer-pratts-time-in-santa-barbara-county-likely-wont-affect-his-bid-for-la-mayor-analysts-sayå