Billionaire developer Rick Caruso has officially confirmed he will not run for Los Angeles mayor in 2026, despite recent controversy surrounding current Mayor Karen Bass over her alleged involvement in altering a critical wildfire report.
“Rick is incredibly moved by outpouring of support but reached an earlier decision in a thoughtful process and it stands. He will not be a candidate for mayor,” Caruso’s spokesperson told NBC Los Angeles on Thursday.
The announcement comes just days after a Los Angeles Times investigation claimed Bass directed the watering-down of an after-action report about the Los Angeles Fire Department’s handling of the deadly Palisades Fire, which killed 31 people and destroyed more than 16,200 buildings in January 2025.
According to the Times report, Bass allegedly sought to remove or soften findings about LAFD shortcomings over concerns they could expose the city to legal liability. The report cited two unnamed sources who claimed Bass was directly involved in altering the document.
Bass has strongly denied these allegations. “Mayor Bass has been unequivocal for months — she reviewed an early draft of the report and only asked the LAFD to make sure it was accurate on issues like weather and budget,” her office said in a statement. “She and her staff made no changes to the drafts.”
Caruso, who lost to Bass by 10 percentage points in the 2022 mayoral race despite spending $100 million of his own fortune, had briefly reconsidered his decision not to run following the Times report. The developer, whose son and daughter lost their homes in the Palisades fire, called the allegations an “absolute outrage.”
“Karen Bass actively covered up a report meant to examine the most significant disaster in Los Angeles history,” Caruso said. “This is a complete loss of public trust and an intentional act of covering up the actions that led to people dying.”
The controversy has already drawn other potential challengers into the race. Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in the Palisades fire, is running as a Republican. Community organizer Rae Huang and tech entrepreneur Adam Miller have also announced their candidacies.
L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath is still weighing a decision, saying she has received support from labor and business leaders. Maryam Zar, founder of the Palisades Recovery Coalition, is also considering entering the race.
Candidates have until noon on Saturday to file their paperwork for the 2026 mayoral election.
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