Rick Caruso, billionaire developer and centrist Democrat, has announced he will not run for California governor or Los Angeles mayor.
Caruso lost the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral race to Karen Bass by nearly 10 points.
Driving the news: His profile increased after wildfires devastated his Pacific Palisades neighborhood, during which he criticized Bass’s leadership.
- Despite Bass’s diminished standing following the crisis, Caruso faced a tough rematch in a city that is more liberal than his political stance.
- Caruso has shifted political affiliations in the past, previously registering as a Republican and independent before joining the Democratic Party ahead of his mayoral run.
Go deeper: A gubernatorial bid offered relatively more moderate terrain but would require Caruso to introduce himself rapidly to voters beyond Los Angeles.
- Caruso’s challenge in both races centered on the highly polarized political climate expected in the upcoming elections.
- Unlike other Democrats, Caruso has avoided attacking Donald Trump and instead attempted to appeal to a coalition of moderates and independents, a strategy looking less viable in today’s partisan environment.
