Democratic socialist Rae Huang launches bid for Los Angeles mayor against Karen Bass

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic socialist Rae Huang announced her run for Los Angeles mayor, challenging incumbent Karen Bass in the upcoming election.

The 43-year-old community organizer said her campaign will focus on universal housing, free public transportation, climate resiliency, and affordability, aiming to address the city’s most pressing issues.

Rae Huang announces, 'I am running for Mayor of Los Angeles'

Rae Huang announced her run for Los Angeles mayor on Instagram Saturday, November 15.

She began, “I am excited and very humbled to announce that I am running for Mayor of Los Angeles, the second largest city in our nation."

"After over 20 years of leaning into my call to serve God through social justice work and organizing, this path has led me in these uncertain times to take the unusual path to continue my calling by running for Mayor to finally see through the changes the LA social justice movement and I have been building for years,” she wrote.

Huang emphasized, "This fight is not my own, but built on years of dedication and commitment of leaders before me who have fought to make LA more afffordable, healthier, sustainable and safer for all."

She outlined her platform, "My platform will be focused on housing for all, building an economy for the people- not billionaires, fast and free metro, climate resiliency, and real safety through care first models- so that we focus on fighting poverty, not the poor."

“Over the past decade, I have worked with Los Angeles organizers and neighbors on solutions for our city. Now it’s time we implement them,” Huang said.

She added, "I will be running against establishment and the billionaire class and will not be accepting any money from corporations."

Huang called on working people, who she said are the backbone of the country, to join her campaign. “I believe in the working people who are the backbone of this country. And I believe we can win a city that is led with love and justice at the center and at the helm. Please join me in transforming my beloved city and our country in building the hope we need to resurrect,” she wrote.

She concluded with a rallying call, “It’s time for us to create that change. It’s time for us to become the Los Angeles we hope for."

Rae Huang criticizes Karen Bass' leadership

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Rae Huang avoided directly comparing herself to New York mayor elect Zohran Mamdani but said she hopes to earn an endorsement from the local DSA chapter, which celebrated Mamdani’s victory. 

She criticized Mayor Karen Bass for her handling of homelessness and recent political violence, calling her own campaign a “moment for change.”

“We are in a place in our country and in our political environment where folks feel stuck and afraid,” Huang said. “They feel like nothing is going to change, and the things that are changing are making things even worse.”

Bass’ team pushed back. Spokesperson Doug Herman highlighted the mayor’s accomplishments, saying, “Under Mayor Bass’s leadership, there has been unprecedented progress on the issues that matter most to Angelenos."

"Homelessness has declined for the first time in two consecutive years, neighborhoods are safer with significant drops in crime, and the Palisades fire recovery continues far ahead of pace with the fastest recovery and rebuilding in California history."

The statement concluded, "In addition, there was no better defender of Los Angeles than Mayor Karen Bass when Trump’s ICE raids started and we won a court ruling to help stop the illegal raids and unconstitutional arrests. That’s what we need to move Los Angeles forward.”