Bass and Raman Raised Similar Campaign Totals
Los Angeles mayoral candidates have reported comparable fundraising hauls ahead of the November runoff election.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Elections
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Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman have each raised approximately $2.5 million for their runoff campaigns. As of September 19, both candidates have utilized the city matching fund program to secure public financing for their bids.
Why it matters
The parity in fundraising highlights the competitive nature of the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral election. The city's matching fund program continues to play a significant role in campaign finance by amplifying small-dollar, local contributions.
The city matching fund program provides $6 for every $1 of qualifying local contributions, capped at $257 per donor. Raman leads with $1.9 million in cash on hand compared to Bass, who holds nearly $1.2 million.
The players
Karen Bass
She is the current Mayor of Los Angeles and a central figure in the municipal runoff election.
Nithya Raman
She is a Los Angeles City Councilmember currently competing in the mayoral runoff race.
The details
Candidates rely on a mix of direct contributions and public matching funds to fuel their campaigns. Independent expenditure committees are also active, with entities like the Police Protective League and Airbnb making substantial financial outlays to support their preferred outcomes.
Timeline
Fundraising totals reflect activity through September 19.
The mayoral runoff election is scheduled for November 3.
Political Context
Critics of the city matching fund program often argue that it disproportionately favors incumbents or well-connected candidates who can effectively leverage small-donor networks. Opponents point to the influence of independent expenditure committees as a destabilizing force that dilutes the impact of individual candidates' fundraising efforts.
Voters should be aware that their direct contributions to local campaigns are amplified significantly by the city's matching fund program. This system effectively turns small individual donations into larger campaign budgets, influencing the scale of outreach and advertising seen throughout the city.
The takeaway
The race shows how public matching funds have become a central pillar of local political finance in Los Angeles. Residents should evaluate both campaign spending and the activities of outside expenditure committees to understand the full landscape of the election.
Further reading
For more on the municipal contest, visit the Los Angeles Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Times.
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