The speech effectively kicked off her reelection campaign, with Bass facing declared challengers and a Feb. 7 deadline to file candidacy paperwork.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass used her State of the City address to effectively kick off her reelection campaign, highlighting the city's recovery from last year's deadly wildfires and casting LA as ready to host a run of global events.
The speech, delivered at Exposition Park, departed from the traditional policy-heavy address that typically signals the start of budget season. Performances from the marching bands of University of California at Los Angeles and University of Southern California gave the event a campaign-style feel.
Bass, a Democrat, focused on progress under her administration on public safety. She said the city was ready to host major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl in 2027 and the 2028 Olympic Games.
"When the world looks at Los Angeles, they won't just see venues," Bass said. "They will see our values, the diversity of our people and all that our neighborhoods offer."
Since taking office, Bass has overseen rebuilding efforts following the 2025 wildfires that have been slowed by permitting delays as well as a continued slowdown in Hollywood production. The city has struggled with housing affordability and seen only modest declines in homelessness while rates of violent crime have fallen largely in line with national trends.
Bass's political standing remains mixed. Nearly half of Angelenos gave Bass an unfavorable rating last year, according to a survey by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
The timing of Bass's speech underscored her ambitions to win a second term in November. Monday marked the first day candidates could formally enter the mayoral race, with a Feb. 7 deadline to file candidacy paperwork.
Bass faces declared challengers including former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner, community organizer Rae Huang and reality television figure Spencer Pratt.
Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, who lost to Bass in the 2022 mayoral race, has said he won't run this year, ending speculation about a rematch.
Bass is still expected to deliver a more traditional State of the City address in April, when her administration will formally introduce budget proposals for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
"All of this work making safety real, visible and felt is exactly what will prepare us to welcome the world in LA," Bass said on Monday.