In Internal Shakeup, Mayor Karen Bass Replaces Her Top Campaign Strategist

The apical strategist for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ reelection bid has near her campaign, conscionable arsenic she is gearing up for a bruising showdown against City Councilmember Nithya Raman successful nan Nov. 3 runoff.

Douglas Herman, who has worked pinch Bass since 2021, told The Times connected Wednesday that he stepped down from nan run earlier successful nan day. He is being replaced by Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who was campaign manager for nan Biden and Harris statesmanlike campaigns successful 2024, a Bass spokesperson said.

Chávez Rodriguez has spent nan past fewer months moving Unidos Con Karen Bass 2026, an independent expenditure run that focused connected Latino elector turnout during nan primary.

Herman, asked astir his departure, said he near owed to “strategic differences” regarding nan guidance of nan reelection campaign. He did not supply details.

The Bass spokesperson, Alex Stack, declined to talk Herman’s exit.

“Going into nan wide election, our run is proud to denote that Julie Chávez Rodriguez will beryllium starring nan team,” he said successful a statement.

The granddaughter of César Chávez, co-founder of nan United Farm Workers union, Chávez Rodriguez worked successful some nan Obama and nan Biden administrations earlier moving nan Biden and Harris campaigns. While moving for Harris, she courted Latinos and working-class voters successful battleground states.

Herman was a combative messenger for Bass, issuing broadsides against her rivals arsenic she fought for a 2nd four-year term. He had been advising her since her first tally for mayor, erstwhile she defeated existent property developer Rick Caruso by astir 10 percent points. He besides helped her fend disconnected a callback effort while successful office.

Bass was nan apical ballot getter successful nan June 2 superior election, securing 34% of nan vote, compared to 29% for Raman and astir 26% for reality TV characteristic Spencer Pratt. With a mostly of voters registering disapproval of her performance, she faces a reliable runoff campaign.

Raman, first elected successful 2020, is expected to beryllium a formidable opponent, drafting connected her support from younger voters, intermezo manufacture workers and activists successful nan YIMBY movement, which seeks to tear down regulatory barriers to lodging construction.