D.T. Carson
In the latest round of updated election results posted on Thursday, Congresswoman Karen Bass moved within one half percentage point of opponent Rick Caruso closing the gap on the narrow margin of two percentage points the real estate mogul led by in L.A. County Registrar’s first post-election update.
The new vote tally has Caruso in the lead with 273,941 (50.25%), while Bass is closing in at 271,246 (49.75%)
With 41% of precincts still to report, Bass’ campaign is optimistic about their chances at winning if the primary election serves as any indication of what is to come. Caruso led by five-points on June 8 but saw that lead overtaken by Bass in the mail in ballot count which propelled her to a seven-point victory.
“The latest vote update for the Mayor’s race is good news for Karen Bass as the counting of late arriving mail in ballots favor Karen Bass just like they did in the primary,” said campaign finance chair Kerman Maddox. “If this trend continues with the general election count, it will lead to the historic election of Karen Bass as the first African American Woman Mayor in the City of Los Angeles.”
An estimated 900,000 ballots have yet to be counted which means that it will more likely be weeks and not days before the race is officially called, particularly as postmarked ballots can be accepted through November 15.
“In the coming days, the voice of the people of Los Angeles will be heard and we feel confident that we will win. As mayor, Karen Bass will chart a new direction for Los Angeles with comprehensive solutions for homelessness, public safety and affordability.”
The next post-election update is due on Tuesday, November 15, though election insiders say that the results posting on Friday, November 18 will likely paint a clearer picture of who will claim victory.
“Together, we want to have a City Hall that serves all the people,” Bass said on election night. “We want a City Hall that’s not just the City Hall for the powerful, not just the City Hall for the wealthy, but a City Hall that is for everyone so that we can have the quality of life that I know that we deserve.”