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Major shakeup to LA Mayor race: Nithya Raman in; Lindsey Horvath out
L.A. City Hall
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Allen J. Schaben
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Getty Images
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The noon deadline to file papers to run for L.A. mayor is just hours away, and the field of challengers to Mayor Karen Bass is becoming clear.
L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman has entered the mayoral race. Stella Stahl, her communications director, told LAist.
The news comes as the field of high-profile candidates has thinned in recent days and weeks. Last night, L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath announced she will not run for mayor, ending months of speculation.
Horvath said she was skipping the race to focus on her reelection bid.
My decision is clear. pic.twitter.com/ViYOPRuoCe
— Lindsey P. Horvath (@LindseyForLA) February 7, 2026
" I am choosing not to run for mayor and instead to focus on my reelection for Los Angeles County supervisor, not because I'm stepping away from a challenge. I'm stepping even more into the one we've already started," Horvath said.
Days ago, former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner dropped out after the death of his daughter.
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Developer Rick Caruso said last month he would not make another bid after running in 2022.
Other challengers to Bass include reality TV star Spencer Pratt and community organizer Rae Huang.
Voters will head to the polls June 2 for the primary.
Updated February 7, 2026 at 10:46 AM PST
The story was updated with confirmation from Raman's office.
Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM PST
The story was updated with news of Nithya Raman entering the mayoral race.
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