Los Angeles’ mayoral race is picking up steam as campaign donation filings show candidates have raised a total of $7.9 million so far in their bid to replace soon-to-be termed-out Mayor Eric Garcetti. Leading the pack is Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) with just under $2 million raised, according to filings through Dec. 31, 2021. Bass declared her candidacy last September. Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León of District 14—which includes Skid Row, downtown Los Angeles, and Boyle Heights—has raised the second most funds of the candidates at just over $1.2 million—nearly all of that coming in the fourth quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino of District 14—including San Pedro, Watts, and Wilmington—has raised just $36,000 less than De León but seems to have peaked in fundraising back in the spring and early summer of 2021, when fewer candidates had announced. For the fourth quarter of …