Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
23.5%
15.4%
8.7%
7.8%
5.7%
Los Angeles Mayor winner?
$82.6M
JUN 14, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleCommissioner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age67 years old (Jan 7, 1959)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundReal estate developer
EducationUniversity of Southern California (BS, 1980)
Notable personal detailsRick Joseph Caruso is an American real estate developer and executive, known for founding and leading Caruso, a privately held real estate company behind prominent retail and mixed-use properties in the Los Angeles area, including The Grove and The Americana at Brand. He previously worked as a real-estate lawyer before transitioning full-time into development. Caruso has also held civic leadership roles in Los Angeles, including serving as president of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, and has been active in philanthropy through the Caruso Family Foundation.
SourcesShowHide
cityclerk.lacity.orgen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgreaganfoundation.orgpepperdine.edulatimes.comblueprint.ucla.eduforbes.comrickcaruso.comes.wikipedia.orgarxiv.orgreddit.comtherealdeal.combreitbart.comcbsnews.comourlafamilies.comtradersunion.com19thnews.orgtheclimatecenter.orgcirclingthenews.comcaruso.compolice1.comaudacy.comwashingtonpost.comsfgate.comwealthmanagement.comtheguardian.commedicaredforall.comapnews.comtranscripts.cnn.comnbcnews.comnewscms.nbcnews.comcommercial.cnn.compolitico.comcdn.cnn.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orghouse.govaging.senate.govenergycommerce.house.govgraves.house.govwhitehouse.govncsl.orghistory.house.govcongress.govdocs.house.govlarsen.house.govrepublicanleader.senate.govballotready.orgkennedy.senate.govgrassley.senate.govdemocrats-financialservices.house.govdocquery.fec.govoversight.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Rick Caruso has criticized Los Angeles’ Measure ULA (a tiered property/transaction tax) and has pushed for suspending or rolling back the levy in fire-damaged zones, arguing it reduces investment and development. He has also emphasized reducing permitting fees and regulatory burdens that he says raise costs and discourage development. Caruso has disclosed limited tax-payment summaries but declined to release full tax returns.
Immigration & Border
Supports a pathway to citizenship for long-term undocumented residents who contribute economically and have no criminal record, while calling for secure borders and deportation of those with criminal records. Has funded and advocated for assistance to immigrant families affected by immigration enforcement.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate publicly identifies as pro‑choice, pledged financial support toward a 2022 California constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights, and has said he would defend reproductive rights. His past donations and earlier comments opposing abortion in many cases have drawn criticism and prompted scrutiny of his record.
Climate & Energy
Supports moving Los Angeles and energy systems away from dependence on fossil fuels, backing 100% renewable electricity goals while endorsing technologies like green hydrogen and storage to integrate intermittent renewables. Emphasizes sustainability measures from his past service at LADWP and on development projects but has not consistently published a detailed, fully specified climate plan.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports measures to reduce gun violence by targeting illegal and dangerous firearms (including ghost guns) and keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers while emphasizing stronger law-enforcement responses and increased officer staffing. Policy emphasis combines limited firearm restrictions and enforcement with a pro-policing approach to public safety.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Rick Caruso says he will not run in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election, citing family considerations and concerns about the political climate. He has endorsed San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan for California governor, while saying he has not yet decided whom to back in the LA mayor’s race. His move comes as Democrats face a crowded and unsettled 2026 California governor contest, with party leaders and new polling highlighting fears that vote-splitting could help Republicans advance under the state’s top-two system.
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Articles
NYNew York Post3 months ago
Rick Caruso reveals why he dropped out of LA mayor's race
Neutral
TMThe Mercury News3 months ago
Walters: Now that we know who’s running for governor, here’s what happens next
Neutral
LALos Angeles Times4 months ago
California governor candidates pitch Democrats at convention
Neutral
SASanta Ana Orange County Register3 months ago
With no clear frontrunner in the race for governor, the California Democratic Party has a new, costly strategy ahead of the primary election
Neutral
Polls
California Governor primary advancers? (Person)
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising