Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer, has announced that he will not be running for mayor of Los Angeles. This decision comes just days before the deadline to submit official paperwork for the upcoming election, which is set for June. Caruso’s exit from the race follows a significant moment in the political landscape as former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner also declared he would not pursue the mayoral position, citing personal reasons after the tragic death of his 22-year-old daughter last month.
As the field of candidates continues to shift, Mayor Karen Bass has found herself at the center of controversy. She has publicly denied a report from the Los Angeles Times that alleged she attempted to suppress an after-action report detailing failures of the Los Angeles Fire Department during the recent Palisades Fire. In her statement, Bass asserted, “There was absolutely no cover-up,” aiming to clarify her stance amid growing scrutiny.
Caruso, who had previously reconsidered his political ambitions following the report concerning Bass, ultimately confirmed his decision to withdraw from the race on Thursday afternoon. The deadline for candidates to file a declaration of intention for the June primary election is set for noon on Saturday.
The mayoral race in Los Angeles is shaping up to be a pivotal event, especially with such high-profile figures stepping back. As the political arena remains dynamic, potential candidates and their supporters will be watching closely to see how the landscape evolves in the days leading up to the filing deadline.
