Overview

• Beutner confirmed his intent to enter the race in weekend interviews, positioning himself as the first high-profile challenger to Bass for the 2026 election.
• His social media accounts briefly displayed “AUSTIN for LA MAYOR” branding before the posts were removed, signaling early campaign activity.
• He faults the city’s Palisades fire response as a leadership failure, citing broken hydrants, an out-of-service reservoir, staffing decisions, and damage to his own home.
• He portrays Los Angeles as adrift and says his campaign will focus on homelessness, affordability, public safety, and budget choices, while backing SB 79’s transit-area housing push in concept.
• As of Sunday, he had not filed candidate paperwork with the L.A. City Ethics Commission, and his entry comes as a fire after-action report and a federal arson charge sharpen scrutiny of City Hall.