Thursday, June 9, 2022

Caruso Takes the Lead In LA – Race to November: Crime and Homelessness or Abortion and Partisanship?

Rick Caruso, on a promise to disrupt the status quo, grabbed a 5-point early lead on Democratic establishment candidate, Karen Bass (42% to 37% reported June 8, 2:00 am). Polls had said they were headed to a runoff, and Bass appeared to have some late momentum. But in a low turnout election featuring crime and homelessness, Caruso, with a $40 million campaign, grabbed the top spot. Now, the challenge of getting to 50 percent on November 8 is on.

The final poll completed on Tuesday, May 31, and published in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, June 5, gave Congressperson Bass a 6-point lead over Caruso. Among other recent polls, Bass has been either 1st or 2nd and they have been only about 2 points apart. Kevin de León had 6 percent, as he did in the April 4 poll (he received 7%), and other candidates 4 percent and undecided 15 percent, down from 39 percent.

Looking at a larger electorate for the November general election, the latest IGS poll said 30 percent were undecided and Bass led 37 percent to 33 percent for Caruso – very close.

Rick Caruso and wife Tina share a laugh on election night
at the Grove, June 7, 2022 | Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times

Karen Bass speaks at her election night party,
June 7, 2022 | Christina House/Los Angeles Times

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