LOS ANGELES — As Los Angeles residents decide who will be their mayor, Rep. Karen Bass is trying to build on her 7-point advantage in the primary over billionaire developer Rick Caruso.
But in precincts with large Latino populations, the primary results were different — Caruso generally came out ahead of Bass, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis.
While Latino voters in L.A. have historically leaned progressive, they can have a conservative streak on some issues, including policing. Party affiliation is relatively weak among Latinos, with some identifying as Democrats but willing to cross over for candidates who speak to them on issues, experts said.
With homelessness, crime and affordable housing on voters’ minds this year, Caruso’s pitch that he is an outsider who can fix these problems appealed to Latino voters in the primary and could do so head-to-head with the more liberal Bass.