Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman leads Mayor Karen Bass 39% to 28% among likely voters in a recent poll conducted by the University of California, Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Conducted from September 15 to 20 among 2,150 respondents, the poll reveals that 33% of likely voters remain undecided, leaving the race unusually fluid with a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Poll director Mark DiCamillo noted that Raman holds a clear advantage, leading Bass across nearly all parts of the city, including a 34% to 26% margin in the San Fernando Valley and a 35% to 34% lead on the Westside.
Demographics, Approval Ratings, and Candidate Strategies:
The survey highlights a significant age gap, with Raman leading 66% to 4% among voters aged 18 to 29, 64% to 12% among those aged 30 to 39, and 50% to 18% among ages 40 to 49, while the race is tighter among voters aged 50 to 64. Mayor Bass received a 63% disapproval rating compared to a 28% approval rating, whereas Raman garnered a 40% favorable rating against a 39% unfavorable rating. Raman has spent the summer criticizing Bass’s record on homelessness and city fire responses while securing endorsements from labor groups like Unite Here Local 11 and the Democratic Socialists of America, emphasizing that her campaign takes no vote for granted.
