Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, announced Monday that he’s voting for his former political opponent Karen Bass for LA mayor without issuing an official endorsement.
Last week, Caruso held a news conference with Bass in the Pacific Palisades, praising her for expediting the rebuilding of the coastal community devastated by the 2025 Palisades Fire. At the time, he did not say who he was supporting or endorsing for LA mayor.
In a statement and a video on his social media account, Caruso said he had “struggled with the choice.”
“I will be casting my ballot for Mayor Karen Bass,” said Caruso, who was overwhelmingly supported by Pacific Palisades voters when he ran for mayor against Bass in 2022.
The businessman, who had announced in January that he was officially out of the races for LA mayor and California governor, suggested he was burying the hatchet with Bass, especially over her handling of the Palisades Fire and her absence when the blaze started.
“But after carefully weighing both candidates and what I believe is best for the future of Los Angeles, I have come to a clear decision,” Caruso said. “For the love of LA, I must put the past behind me. This election must be about our future, not a referendum on the past.”
Caruso’s statement echoed what he discussed during the news conference about “cutting through the red tape” to help his community rebuild. He had mentioned that he and Bass had been working closely together on the rebuilding efforts.