"At one point Saturday, Beutner's longtime account on X featured the banner image "AUSTIN for LA MAYOR," along with the words: "This account is being used for campaign purposes by Austin Beutner for LA Mayor 2026." Both the text and the banner image, which resembled a campaign logo, were removed shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday. Beutner did not immediately provide comment after being contacted by The Times."
"New "AustinforLA" accounts also appeared on Instagram and Bluesky on Saturday, displaying the same campaign text and logo. Those messages were also quickly removed and converted to generic accounts for Beutner. It's still unclear when Beutner, 65, plans to launch a campaign, or if he will do so. Rumors about his intentions have circulated widely in political circles in recent weeks."
"Beutner, who worked at one point as a high-level aide to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, would instantly become the most significant candidate to run against Bass, who is seeking a second four-year term in June. Although seven other people have filed paperwork to run for her seat, none have the fundraising muscle or name recognition to pose a threat. Rick Caruso, the real estate developer whom Bass defeated in 2022, has publicly flirted with another run for the city's top office"
Austin Beutner, a former investment banker and former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, briefly displayed campaign branding on X, Instagram and Bluesky suggesting a possible 2026 mayoral run. The posts included a banner reading "AUSTIN for LA MAYOR" and an explicit statement that an account was being used for campaign purposes; the images and texts were removed the same day. Beutner, 65, has not confirmed a campaign launch. His potential entry would present the most significant challenge to Mayor Karen Bass, who is seeking a second term amid a year of crises including the deadly Palisades fire.
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