Billionaire businessman and runner-up in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral race Rick Caruso announced Tuesday that he is opposed to a recall effort against the winner of that election and current Mayor Karen Bass.
“A mayoral recall right now is not a good idea. This is a time when Los Angeles needs unity, not costly and expensive political distractions,” a portion of Caruso’s post on X reads.
Bass has been under siege since the nearly 24,000-acre Palisades Fire made national headlines as possibly the nation’s most costly natural disaster in history.
Twelve people were killed in the blaze that raged out of control for several days before ultimately destroying nearly 7,000 structures, including homes and businesses.
A recall effort gained steam among opponents who criticized the mayor for being in Ghana when the fire erupted on Jan. 7, despite advanced warnings from weather officials to the public that severe winds would create extreme fire conditions.
Firefighting efforts were also hampered when water supplies ran out as crews tried to save entire neighborhoods.
Actor and Special Ambassador to Hollywood Mel Gibson, who lost his home in the fire, blamed Bass and Gavin Newsom for their “incompetence” when he joined an effort to recall the California governor.
Caruso, however, says recalls are costly and the city needs to move forward and rebuild.
“We must rebuild our communities, get people back into their homes, and open businesses that have been closed or lost. That must be our total focus. There is a time and place for politics, but it is not now,” Caruso said on X.
Rumors have swirled since 2024 that the businessman and real estate magnate could return to politics. The possibility of another try for mayor or a candidacy for California governor when Newsom is termed out next year has been reported.