Exclusive | Why Palisades Fire survivors furious at Karen Bass still back her for mayor: The devil you know

Palisades Fire survivors are backing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — despite blaming her for the disaster.Four residents who lost their homes in the deadly blaze told the California Post they remain furious over her administration’s failures surrounding the fire, which ignited on Jan.7, 2025, while Bass was in Ghana.

But their anger with the mayor isn’t enough to make them turn toward socialist-backed candidate Nithya Raman.A recent California Post/McLaughlin poll found Raman leading Bass 46.7% to 38.8%, with 13.5% of potential voters undecided.

Just 25.5% approved of Bass’s job performance, while 71.7% disapproved.A newer UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll showed the candidates tied at 40%, with 19% undecided, but found 65% of likely voters viewed Bass unfavorably.For Nina Madok, a Republican whose home burned down, her support for Bass is hardly enthusiastic.“Do I think Karen’s actions resulted in our town burning down? Yes.Do I think that she’s been problematic on delivering on some of the promises that she’s made, or the things we’ve asked them for? Yes, absolutely,” Madok said.“But the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.”Jessica Rogers, president and executive director of the Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group, raised alarms about Raman and her allies in the Democratic Socialists of America.

“What we’re being faced with is not just an opponent.It’s a political machine called the Democratic Socialists of America,” said Rogers, adding that policies she associates with former DSA-backed Westside Councilman Mike Bonin damaged public safety.She credited credited Bass with coordinating with federal environmental officials after the Palisades Fire, meeting with Gov.

Gavin Newsom’s administration and responding to security concerns.“Mayor Bass was asked to give us extra safety and security, and work with our law enforcement, and she did,” Rogers said.Madok, who finally secured rebuilding permits and hopes to re...