The race for Los Angeles mayor is turning increasingly tense, and reality star Spencer Pratt isn’t the only one applying pressure on incumbent Karen Bass.
City Council member Nithya Raman is also throwing stones by publicly accusing Bass of pushing housing and short-term rental proposals without enough public transparency, according to the “New York Post.”
The latest clash centers around a proposal included in Bass’ new city budget that could loosen restrictions on some short-term rentals in Los Angeles.
No public discussion or city council input?
While STR operators will appreciate a break in restrictions, Raman criticized the move, arguing that the proposal appeared in the budget without broad public discussion or city council input.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Raman claimed the city risks prioritizing corporate interests and tourism revenue over long-term housing affordability.
She also warned that expanding short-term rental rules could reduce available housing inventory for residents and push rents even higher in an already expensive market.
“Hours after I held a press conference exposing Mayor Bass’s secret deal to allow rental homes to be turned into vacation rentals, filings were published showing that Airbnb is spending big on a PAC to get her reelected,” Raman posted on X. “This is what pay-to-play politics looks like.”
“Here’s how pay-to-play works: A politician delivers policy favors to a corporation or special interest. The corporation spends money to keep the politician in power,” Raman also wrote, adding, “But the everyday people of Los Angeles lose.”
RELATED: Airbnb pushes hotel inventory as short-term rental regulations tighten across the U.S.
Supporters of the proposal argue the changes could help Los Angeles prepare for increased tourism ahead of the 2028 Olympics while generating additional tax revenue for the city.
The disagreement marks another major flashpoint in the increasingly competitive 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race, where housing affordability and homelessness have become defining campaign issues.
Raman, who previously supported Bass politically, is now positioning herself as a challenger focused on transparency, housing reform, and affordability.
She isn’t the only one criticizing Bass.
Pratt, a mayoral candidate running against Bass – whose family home burned to the ground in the LA wildfires – has also been vocal about why she shouldn’t be re-elected.
As the campaign intensifies, debates over short-term rentals, housing supply, and city development are expected to remain front and center for Los Angeles voters.
