In Los Angeles, politics usually feels like a battle between Goliaths. We're used to the big names, the deep pockets, and the incumbents who seem impossible to move. But look closer at the 2026 mayoral race and you'll find a different story. Beyond Mayor Karen Bass and her well-funded challengers like Nithya Raman or Adam Miller, a group of "long shots" is quietly trying to rewrite how this city functions.
You might think these candidates are just noise. After all, when you’re up against an incumbent with millions in the bank and the backing of the Democratic establishment, the math doesn't look great. But here’s the thing. These candidates aren’t just running to win; they’re running to force the "serious" contenders to answer questions they’d rather ignore. For a closer look into this area, we suggest: this related article.
The Power of the Long Shot
Most people write off candidates who don't have name recognition or a war chest. That’s a mistake. In a city like L.A., where voter turnout for local elections can be embarrassingly low, a motivated fringe can shift the entire conversation. We’ve seen it before. Small-budget campaigns often act as the "conscience" of the race, pushing issues like radical housing reform or extreme police transparency into the mainstream.
Take someone like Rae Huang, a community organizer and housing rights advocate. She’s not just talking about "affordable housing" in the vague way politicians do. She’s lived the struggle. When a candidate like Huang gets on a debate stage, she forces the heavy hitters to get specific. She makes them explain why thousands are still on the street despite the billions of dollars L.A. has funneled into the problem. For additional information on this topic, in-depth reporting is available on USA Today.
Then you have Spencer Pratt. Yeah, the reality TV guy. He’s running as a "MAGA favorite," and while many in blue L.A. might roll their eyes, he represents a specific brand of frustration with how the city handled recent wildfires and rising crime. Whether you like him or not, he’s tapping into a vein of anger that Bass has to address if she wants to stay in City Hall.
Breaking Down the 2026 Field
The current lineup is a wild mix of backgrounds and ideologies. You don't get this kind of variety in a standard two-person race. Here's who's actually on the ballot beyond the frontrunners:
- The Visionaries: People like Bryant Acosta and Tish Hyman. They bring a creative, outsider perspective that isn't bogged down by years of City Hall bureaucracy. They're often the ones suggesting things like "universal basic income" for artists or radical green transit projects.
- The Technocrats: Candidates like Adam Carmichael or Andrej Selivra. These are software architects and tech experts who look at L.A.’s crumbling infrastructure and see a systems failure. They don't want to talk about "vibes"; they want to talk about data-driven traffic management and blockchain-based city spending.
- The Advocates: This group includes people like Suzy Kim and Griselda Diaz. They're focused on mental health and social justice, often bringing a level of expertise on the ground that career politicians lack.
Why Karen Bass Should Be Worried
Karen Bass isn't as safe as she was four years ago. The city is frustrated. We’ve had deadly wildfires, a persistent homelessness crisis, and a cost of living that makes staying here feel like a punishment for many working-class families.
When a "fringe" candidate captures even 3% or 4% of the vote, it matters. In a "top-two" primary system, those small percentages can be the difference between a frontrunner sailing through or being forced into a grueling, expensive runoff. If Bass has to fight off challenges from both her left (like Raman and Huang) and her right (like Pratt), she's forced to spend money and political capital early.
The Reality of Running a Grassroots Campaign
Running for mayor without a machine behind you is brutal. I’ve talked to people who’ve tried it. You’re basically working a full-time job that pays zero dollars while trying to convince people to give you $5 at a time. You’re printing your own fliers. You’re showing up to neighborhood council meetings in Sunland-Tujunga and then driving across the city to a rally in San Pedro.
These candidates don't get the glossy mailers that end up in your recycling bin every Tuesday. They rely on social media, word of mouth, and literal door-knocking. Honestly, it’s the most "L.A." thing about the whole election. It’s the hustle.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Campaigns
The biggest misconception is that a vote for a long shot is a "wasted vote." It isn't. If a candidate running on a platform of "Public Power" or "Universal Housing" gets a significant chunk of the vote, the winner of the election takes notice. They realize there’s a constituency for those ideas.
Look at what happened with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members on the City Council. A few years ago, they were the outsiders. Now, they're a bloc that can block or pass major legislation. Today's "long shot" is often tomorrow's "power player."
How to Actually Vet an Underdog
If you’re tired of the same old political promises and want to look at the other names on the ballot, don't just look at their website. Look at their history.
- Check their "why": Are they running because they have a specific solution for a specific problem, or are they just looking for a platform for their brand?
- Look at their track record: Have they been doing the work in their community for years, or did they just decide to run for mayor as a hobby?
- Listen to their specifics: Anyone can say "fix homelessness." Does this candidate have a plan for where the money comes from and where the buildings go?
Don't Just Default to the Big Name
The June primary will be here before you know it. Most Angelenos will just check the box for the name they recognize. Don't be that person.
Take thirty minutes. Read about the painting contractor, the streaming personality, and the software architect. Even if you don't end up voting for them, understanding what they’re fighting for gives you a better sense of the real issues facing L.A. right now.
The city's future isn't just decided by the people in the mahogany offices at City Hall. It's decided by the people who are willing to stand up and say that the current way isn't working. Those "long shots" are the ones doing that work. They’re the ones making sure our leaders don’t get too comfortable. That’s worth your attention.
The next step is simple. Go to the L.A. City Clerk’s website. Look at the full list of certified candidates. Pick three names you’ve never heard of and look up their platforms. You might find that the best ideas for L.A.’s future aren't coming from the person with the most signs on the lawn.
