After the release of the critical report on Karen Bass, real estate developer Rick Caruso is reconsidering his options

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso has confirmed to the public that he will not be running for LA mayor in 2026 once again.

This decision came a day after he said in a radio interview that he was thinking through his options, followed by the release of a Los Angeles Times story. The story blamed Karen Bass for watering down reports from the LA fires in 2025. Bass denied the accusations.

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, left, and businessman Rick Caruso, right, during the mayoral debate at Bovard Auditorium on the USC campus on March 22, 2022. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, left, and businessman Rick Caruso, right, during the mayoral debate at Bovard Auditorium on the USC campus on March 22, 2022. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Caruso stated that he would not be running to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom either in the California gubernatorial election. Though he hosted a statewide listening tour and appeared on multiple talk shows, he remained prominent on the decision that he made.

Former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner also announced that he would be dropping out of the race, as he focuses on family matters.

Bass now faces different opponents as the others will no longer partake in the race: Spencer Pratt and Rae Huang. Pratt is a reality TV star and a Palisades fire survivor. Huang is a community organiser. Adam Miller, founder and CEO of Cornerstone OnDemand, announced last Thursday that he would be running for the mayor’s office.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya RamanLos Angeles City Councilmember Nithya RamanLos Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman talks with Mayor Karen Bass on Feb. 10 at Hazeltine Park in Sherman OaksCredit: (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

However, Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman announced that she will now be running for LA mayor just before the paperwork deadline. Raman stated that she and Bass share a lot of the same values within their work.

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She is focused on affordability and housing for LA residents. Raman says that the city is reaching its tipping point and believes the city government fails to produce and deliver the basic needs for the people. Families have been priced out due to the unaffordability of the city.

Raman acknowledged that her decision to run late will most likely affect her endorsement prospects from political organisations and labor groups.

For a moment, it seemed as though Bass was headed into the race without a major opponent. This race now includes over 40 candidates, but is expected to slim down as the weeks go by due to quality debates and fundraising.