Good morning, L.A. readers. Julia Wick and David Zahniser are here to bring you the latest updates from City Hall and county government.
Several millennia ago, the Trojan War recounts a story where an army of Greeks built a massive wooden horse and left it as a supposed ‘gift’ outside the walls of Troy, leading to their ultimate downfall. This historical reference raises an intriguing question: If a deceptive attack is dubbed a Trojan horse, what do you call a seemingly benevolent gift that acts as a threat?
In this light, the attempted recall of Mayor Karen Bass might just be the answer.
Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley philanthropist and former running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ignited discussions in early March when she announced her campaign to recall Bass. At that time, Mayor Bass was already facing significant challenges following her response to the Palisades fire, leaving her vulnerable as a first-term incumbent.
Recalls are notoriously difficult to execute—gathering the requisite number of signatures takes significant effort. Yet, Shanahan’s financial backing made the endeavor plausible. With Angelenos feeling disillusioned and frustrated, the prospect of a well-funded recall could have overshadowed Bass’s reelection chances.
However, the anticipated recall effort seems to have stalled. The proponents failed to even submit the necessary paperwork for signature collection, ultimately announcing on social media in June their decision to abandon the recall and shift their focus towards the 2026 elections.
While their initiative may have fizzled out, it inadvertently provided Bass with an unexpected advantage. The looming threat of a recall allowed her to establish an opposition committee without the constraints of donation caps that bind her general reelection campaign.
With the recall effort afoot, Bass was able to launch an anti-recall campaign committee, enabling her to gather funds at significantly higher amounts than the $1,800 cap imposed on standard reelection contributions.
Recent campaign finance disclosures highlighted this shift, revealing that while Bass’s official re-election campaign raised a paltry $179,589, her anti-recall committee amassed an impressive haul of nearly $750,000 by the end of June.
Major contributions came from various sources, including $250,000 from the Sea Change PAC and $200,000 from leftover campaign funds of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez. Other significant donations included $25,000 each from philanthropists Jon Croel and William Resnick, among others.
This newfound financial foundation allows for rapid fundraising, capitalizing on the urgency sparked by the recall threat. As Bass’s campaign strategist Doug Herman noted, the fundraising advantage became crucial amid public discontent with ongoing city issues.
Although Shanahan declined to comment, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics change as the recall effort officially expires on August 4, 2023.
The Bass campaign will be limited in fundraising soon after, but until then, the anti-recall committee remains a potent asset.
In related news, the political landscape continues to evolve. The uncertainty surrounding former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso has intensified following Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement that she will not run for governor. This raises questions about whether Caruso might enter the gubernatorial race or mount another challenge against Bass.
A new political rivalry has also emerged in the race for City Attorney, where challenger Marissa Roy has successfully out-fundraised incumbent Hydee Feldstein Soto, signaling her campaign’s potential strength.
On the Westside, public interest lawyer Faizah Malik is facing significant fundraising challenges against incumbent Councilmember Traci Park, who has far surpassed her fundraising totals.
In South L.A., Jose Ugarte, a staffer hoping to succeed Councilmember Curren Price, is making waves with impressive fundraising efforts, while other candidates in the race seek to bridge the gap.
In the West Valley, Tim Gaspar and Barri Worth Girvan are contesting the vacancy left by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, with Girvan currently taking the lead in fundraising.
Meanwhile, Valley Councilmember Monica Rodriguez has not reported any fundraising figures, raising questions about her commitment to her reelection campaign amid speculation of a potential mayoral run.
City Controller Kenneth Mejia is in a unique position, having not yet disclosed financial numbers but is expected to provide details in the forthcoming reporting period.
On the fiscal front, the number of anticipated employee layoffs has significantly decreased, now reported at 394 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This marks a reduction from the previously proposed 1,600 layoffs, highlighting a shift in budgetary allocations and personnel management strategies.
In her reelection campaign, Bass has evidently emphasized appreciation, as disclosed forms show significant expenditures on gifts to various supporters and advisors, including a notable bouquet sent to power donor Lynda Resnick.
Additionally, Bass’s campaign seems to rely on all hands on deck for fundraising efforts, which was evident in a recent finance committee meeting that provided significant insights into her fundraising strategies.
Legislation is also in motion, with the City Council making strides to regulate language used during meetings. A controversial decision has come forth to ban certain offensive words; however, this has sparked debates regarding potential First Amendment infringements.
Finally, the City Council is hard at work addressing homelessness, as the mayor’s signature program, Inside Safe, recently engaged with individuals living near the 405 Freeway in a move that drew mixed reactions from advocacy groups regarding the treatment of homeless individuals.
As we head into next week, the City Council’s personnel committee will convene to address plans concerning the layoffs of city employees.
To wrap it up, remember that the political dynamics in L.A. are continuously evolving, and the events of this week prove that sometimes friends may be disguised as foes, just as much as foes can appear as friends in the complex tapestry of city politics.
Stay informed and engaged as these stories develop.
image source from：latimes
