### Rick Caruso's Political Aspirations: A Decision Not to Run - Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, who previously ran against Mayor Karen Bass in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, has officially announced that he will not pursue a run for either California governor or Los Angeles mayor in the upcoming 2026 elections. This decision comes after months of speculation regarding his potential candidacy [https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/rick-caruso-reveals-decision-running-la-mayor-or-ca-governor][https://abc7.com/post/rick-caruso-run-california-governor-la-mayor/18418058]. ### Structure of Caruso's Announcement 1. **Announcement of Decision**: Caruso confirmed his decision not to run for public office, stating, "Though my name will not be on a ballot, my work continues" [https://www.dailybulletin.com/2026/01/16/real-estate-mogul-rick-caruso-will-not-run-for-mayor-nor-governor]. 2. **Community Focus**: He emphasized his commitment to community work through his nonprofit organization, Steadfast LA, particularly in light of the devastation caused by wildfires in his Pacific Palisades neighborhood [https://yovenice.com/2026/01/16/developer-rick-caruso-decides-against-runs-for-california-governor-or-la-mayor]. 3. **Political Climate**: Caruso described the current political environment as "extremely toxic," which influenced his decision to step back from seeking office [https://timesnewsnetworks.com/rick-caruso-will-not-run-for-calif-gov-or-la-mayor-extremely-toxic-time-in-politics]. ### Supporting Evidence of Caruso's Decision - **Public Statements**: Caruso's announcement was widely covered, with multiple sources confirming his decision not to run for office [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-16/billionaire-developer-rick-caruso-will-not-run-for-la-mayor-or-california-governor][https://www.foxla.com/news/rick-caruso-campaign-not-running-for-office]. - **Community Engagement**: His focus on community service through Steadfast LA indicates a shift from political ambitions to philanthropic efforts [https://yovenice.com/2026/01/16/developer-rick-caruso-decides-against-runs-for-california-governor-or-la-mayor]. - **Political Sentiment**: Caruso's remarks about the political climate reflect a broader sentiment among potential candidates regarding the challenges of running for office in today's environment [https://timesnewsnetworks.com/rick-caruso-will-not-run-for-calif-gov-or-la-mayor-extremely-toxic-time-in-politics]. ### Conclusion: Caruso's Future Directions - **Decision Not to Run**: Rick Caruso has decided against running for California governor or Los Angeles mayor, focusing instead on community initiatives. - **Continued Community Work**: He will remain active in his nonprofit efforts, particularly in response to local challenges such as wildfires. - **Political Climate Considerations**: His decision reflects concerns about the current political landscape, which he describes as toxic. In summary, Caruso's choice to step back from political aspirations underscores a commitment to community service while navigating a challenging political environment. His future efforts will likely center on philanthropy rather than public office [https://abc7.com/post/rick-caruso-run-california-governor-la-mayor/18418058][https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-16/billionaire-developer-rick-caruso-will-not-run-for-la-mayor-or-california-governor].