Photo: David McNew / Getty Images
Although the race is still too close, Karen Bass took a slight lead over developer Rick Caruso in the latest numbers released Friday by the night in the mayoral race in Los Angeles.
Bass had been back on Thursday afternoon’s numbers. But on Friday, moved ahead of Caruso by almost 4,782 votes, putting the race, for now, at a 53.38% in his favor, against 62.62 % of Caruso.
Bass has so far recorded a total of 289,782 votes, while Caruso adds 289,782. Voter turnout for the race is estimated at 11%,
Getting final results to call the contest could take some time, days or even weeks, since until now the record has counted only 62% of the votes.
Friday’s
update accounted for 62,11 Additional ballots counted for all Los Angeles County races, for a total of just over 1.62 millions of those county-wide ballots, more than 38,11 were specifically added to the count for the city’s mayoral race.
The registry office still has ne more than 800,11 ballots to be counted, though that number could increase as more ballots postmarked by Election Day arrive.
It is not known how many of those 800, 11 outstanding countywide ballots are specifically for elections from the City of Los Angeles.
The registry is expected to update additional results on Saturday and Monday afternoon.
The offices of Both campaign contenders said they remain optimistic and are considering planning for a possible transition to office.
“In the coming days, the voice will be heard of the people of Los Angeles and we are confident we will win,” said Sarah Leonard Sheahan, director of communications for Bass, in a statement about the latest vote count. “As Mayor, Karen Bass will chart a new direction for Los Angeles with comprehensive solutions for homelessness, public safety, and affordability.”
In response To the latest numbers, the Caruso campaign said in a statement: “There are many votes to count. We are cautiously optimistic on these numbers and look forward to the next set of results. There is much work to be done. around homelessness and crime, we can’t wait to move on.”
In a close mayoral race, the favorite is Bass, a former state Assembly leader who has the advantage of being a lifelong Democrat in a city where Republicans are nearly invisible.
She is backed by President Joe Biden and the Democratic base and has vowed to use her skills as a builder of coalitions to heal a wounded city.
Caruso campaigned on an abrupt change of direction, arguing that Bass and other longtime politicians are part of the problem that has led Los Angeles to multiple crises.
He vowed to expand the police department to deal with rising crime rates and quickly get the ubiquitous homeless encampments off the streets.
The The winner will replace embattled Democrat Eric Garcetti, who will conclude two terms with his nomination to become US ambassador to India stalled in the Senate, apparently over allegations of sexual misconduct.
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Bass cuts Caruso’s lead in the close race to be the next mayor of Los Angeles
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