Austin Beutner May Run for LA Mayor Against Karen Bass
Austin Beutner, a former investment banker with a strong background in arts education, is hinting at a potential run against Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming election, as revealed through his social media. Over the weekend, a banner on his X account featured “AUSTIN for LA MAYOR,” stating that the account would be used for campaign efforts in the 2026 Los Angeles Mayoral Election. However, both the text and banner were quickly removed.
Additionally, a new “AustinforLA” account surfaced on Instagram, showcasing similar campaign materials that were also removed shortly after posting. It’s uncertain when the 65-year-old Beutner might officially kick off his campaign, but speculation about his political ambitions has circulated widely.
Having served as a senior aide to former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Beutner is anticipated to be a leading contender against Bass, who is vying for a second term in June. While seven other candidates have submitted filings to run, they lack the fundraising capabilities or recognition to pose significant challengers. Rick Caruso, a real estate developer defeated by Bass in 2022, has announced his intention to run again, though he hasn’t made any formal decisions yet.
Bass’ campaign did not provide immediate comments regarding Beutner’s possible candidacy. This announcement arises in a challenging year for Bass and the city. She was abroad on a diplomatic mission when a devastating fire in the Palisades destroyed numerous homes and resulted in 12 fatalities, leading to significant criticism about the city’s preparedness.
In subsequent months, the city confronted a $1 billion budget shortfall partly due to raises Bass approved for city workers. To mitigate this gap, the City Council cut about 1,600 job vacancies and postponed new hires in the police department, ultimately rejecting Bass’ proposal for additional firefighters. By June, another crisis arose as federal agents made arrests in public areas, provoking violent protests.
While the Palisades fire significantly weakened Bass, she regained some footing after thrusting herself into the immigration debate, criticizing President Trump over his actions and the use of the National Guard.
Beutner’s diverse experience spans finance, journalism, and government, alongside a passion for philanthropy. He founded Vision to Learn, which helps provide vision care to children in low-income areas. As a co-founder of Evercore Partners, he was well-regarded in the financial sector until his retirement in 2008 after a serious bicycle accident.
In 2010, he was appointed as Villaraigosa’s employment czar, taking on significant responsibilities to help the city recover from a deep economic crisis. He played a key role in positioning BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle company, to establish its North American headquarters in Los Angeles.
A little over a year into his role, he expressed interest in running for mayor but ultimately withdrew in 2012 despite backing from notable figures. Later, in 2014, he became publisher of the Los Angeles Times, focusing on digital innovation but was ousted the following year.
His tenure as superintendent of LA Unified began in 2017, where he clashed with the teachers’ union, which went on strike but ultimately agreed to a 6% pay increase over two years. Beutner sought to secure more funding through a parcel tax, though voters did not approve it. His significant contributions perhaps came during the COVID-19 pandemic when the district provided essential services to families and improved school facilities.
After leaving the district in 2022, Beutner spearheaded the campaign for Proposition 28, aimed at directing funds to arts education. Earlier this year, he even filed a lawsuit against LA Unified, alleging misuse of state arts funds and violations regarding mandated arts instruction for students.
