Bombshell poll shows LA mayoral candidate suddenly surging in key demographic hours before pivotal head-to-head

A bombshell poll showing LA mayoral challenger Nithya Raman with a stunning 24-point lead over Karen Bass among Latino voters will loom large as the rivals face off in a high-stakes televised showdown Thursday night.The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies/Los Angeles Times poll, conducted Sept.15–20 and published Oct.

2, found Raman leading Bass 45% to 21% among Latino likely voters, with another 34% undecided just weeks before the Nov.3 election.The political battle has intensified since voters were surveyed, with the candidates clashing over the LAPD, immigration enforcement and Raman’s judgment after she appeared in a since-deleted social media video featuring the words “Only you can stop fascist liars.”The feud erupted Thursday when Bass blasted Raman as “incredibly irresponsible” and questioned whether her challenger was ready to lead Los Angeles.“It certainly showed that she is not ready for prime time,” Bass told The California Post during a news conference.“I even question if she understands what fascism is or its place in history.”The blistering attack came just hours before both candidates were scheduled to face questions from Hispanic voters during a special Univision 34 forum at 7 p.m.The escalating fight over policing comes as the Berkeley poll found crime and public safety ranked among the most pressing concerns for Los Angeles voters, alongside homelessness, affordable housing and city infrastructure.The controversy has exposed a sharp divide over the future of the LAPD.Bass has defended Chief Jim McDonnell, whom she appointed in 2024, as Los Angeles has recorded significant declines in violent crime.Raman has pledged to replace McDonnell if elected, arguing that his handling of federal immigration raids and the protests that followed has fallen short.The latest controversy erupted after a social media video featured Raman repeating the phrase “Only you can stop fascist liars” alongside content creator Ed Choi.The v...