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Billionaire developer Rick Caruso is backing his former political rival, Mayor Karen Bass, just eight days before Election Day, blasting challenger Nithya Raman’s plans for the LAPD as “reckless and dangerous.”
Caruso announced Monday on an Instagram post that he would cast his ballot for the mayor after working alongside her on recovery efforts following Los Angeles’ devastating wildfires.
“For the love of LA, I must put the past behind me,” Caruso said in a statement posted to Instagram.
“Mayor Bass and I have certainly had our disagreements, and we have not always seen eye to eye on the challenges facing our city,” he acknowledged.
But Caruso credited Bass with learning from her mistakes and growing into the job during the months they worked together on rebuilding efforts.
“I have seen firsthand her dedication, her willingness to work together, and her commitment to helping families and communities rebuild their lives,” he wrote.
His endorsement came with a blistering assessment of Raman, particularly her pledge to replace LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
“This is no time to turn the LAPD into a laboratory for risky DSA social experimentation,” Caruso warned.
He also questioned Raman’s record overseeing homelessness policy at City Hall.
“She’s led the city’s homeless policy. Does anybody think that is a success?” Caruso asked.
Caruso’s announcement follows a week of speculation after he appeared alongside Bass at a Pacific Palisades rebuilding event but stopped short of revealing his choice.
His decision also follows a similar declaration from Councilwoman Traci Park, whose district includes the Palisades fire zone.
Park told constituents last week that she would vote for Bass despite reservations about the mayor’s leadership, warning that Raman could reverse progress on public safety and wildfire recovery.
“I hear you—I want some change too, but the alternative does not actually get us where we want to be,” Park told residents. “I think it actually impedes our progress, and unfortunately will take us back to where we were.”
The two backings come as Bass battles to secure a second term against Raman, who has the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
The election is Nov. 3.
