LA Mayoral Race Heats Up As Bass, Raman Raise $2M+ Each

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles mayoral race is heating up Friday as it enters the final stretch before the Nov. 3 election, with candidates incumbent Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman each having raised about $2.5 million in direct contributions and so-called "matching funds" from the city, according to the latest filings.

As of Sept. 19, Bass received about $1.5 million in direct contributions and nearly $1 million from the city's matching fund program, which provides candidates with $6 in taxpayer money for every $1 they receive from local supporters. Raman received about $1.1 million in direct contributions while getting $1.4 million in matching funds.

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In total, Bass has raised about $2.51 million while Raman raised $2.53 million, according to the City Ethics Commission.

The matching fund program is intended to level out the playing field and encourage broader participation in local elections. L.A.'s program covers up to $257 per donor, but they must meet certain qualifications.

"Nearly 4,000 individual donors helped us qualify for more matching funds than any candidate in city history, and I'm deeply grateful to everyone who contributed," Raman said in a statement Friday.

"Mayor Bass has the backing of the political establishment and corporations, but our campaign is powered by an extraordinary wave of grassroots support from Angelenos who are ready to change the direction of our city," Raman added.

In a statement made Thursday, Bass' campaign touted her fundraising efforts, adding that she is in a strong position to deliver her message in the final weeks of the race.

"The mayor and her entire operation have been hard at work doing everything needed to win," Bass campaign chief strategist Julie C. Rodriguez said in a statement. "These resources give us what we need to run a robust campaign in the homestretch, including our field program and paid media ads to highlight the mayor's accomplishments and second-term vision and contrast them with Nithya Raman's paper-thin record and out-of-touch positions."

Financial reportings indicated that Raman had more cash on hand, with $1.9 million compared with Bass' nearly $1.2 million, as they prepare to launch more efforts to reach voters.

Additionally, outside spending committees are expected to ramp up their attacks and support for their respective candidates. These independent expenditure committees are able to spend as much money as they'd like but must remain separate from the candidate's campaigns.

For example, Estamos Con Nithya Raman for Mayor 2026, an independent expenditure committee, sponsored by the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, has raised $6 million in support of Raman. This money has been used in various ways to bolster Raman's campaign and spread her platform.

According to the City Ethics Commission website, about $3 million came from the union, and the other half came from Aaron Sosnick, a Reno-based hedge fund manager, who has been advocating for safer streets for the city to build out its transportation and bike lane systems.

Sosnick previously supported Raman's election campaign in 2020, when she ran against and later ousted City Councilman David Ryu, who represented the Fourth Council District. Sosnick has also contributed to the campaign for Measure HLA, or the Healthy Streets LA initiative, which was approved by voters in 2024 with the aim of mandating safer streets in the city.

Bass' campaign criticized Raman in an email-blast for being backed by "anti-worker billionaires," though the communication did not outright name anyone in particular.

"Aaron Sosnick is a constituent in Council District 4 and a board member of the Oaks Neighborhood Association," Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Raman said in a statement. "Nithya and her council office have spoken with Aaron and the Association about proposed hillside development projects, concerns about party houses and other quality-of-life issues impacting Los Feliz residents.

Meanwhile, Bass has been backed by the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing the city's officers rank lieutenant and below, and Airbnb. The LAPPL has spent nearly $2.8 million toward independent expenditures while Airbnb has put forward $1.75 million to bolster the incumbent's platform.

The financial reporting culminates a series of announcements made by both candidates.

Bass released her first ad, "I Don't Run"/"No le teme a nadie," highlighting her standing up against federal immigration agents during last year's action in MacArthur Park. The incumbent's campaign also released her second ad, "Deliver," focusing on undecided voters. The ad has run on broadcast television and digital streaming platforms.

She has also received donations from state lawmakers, members of Congress and Hollywood stars.

On the other hand, Raman announced endorsements from the Writers Guild of America West Political Action, and the Engineers and Architects Association, representing city workers across more than 50 departments.

Earlier this month, Raman's campaign released a campaign ad focused on Hollywood and narrated by actor Bob Odenkirk. She's received donations from other members of the entertainment industry as well.

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