Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman Defeats Karen Bass to Become Los Angeles Mayor in Major Political

India-born City Councilwoman Nithya Raman unseated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in Tuesday’s election, becoming the first Los Angeles mayoral challenger in two decades to defeat a sitting mayor and signaling a shift toward progressive leadership in the nation’s second-largest city.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

LOS ANGELES — Democratic socialist-backed City Councilwoman Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles’ mayoral election, securing a major political upset Thursday, Nov. 5, after a campaign centered on homelessness, public safety, housing affordability and dissatisfaction with City Hall leadership.

The Associated Press called the race Thursday afternoon with Raman receiving approximately 52.1% of the vote to Bass’ 47.9%, according to election coverage published by Forbes.

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Bass conceded defeat and congratulated Raman, pledging to cooperate in transferring control of city government.

“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken,” Bass said in a statement. “I have called Councilmember Nithya Raman to congratulate her on her victory, and I have committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition. Moving this city forward is what Los Angeles needs from all of us.”

Raman, a 45-year-old urban planner born in India, will become the city’s 44th mayor, replacing Bass, 73, who took office in December 2022.

According to The Associated Press, Raman’s victory marks the first time in approximately 20 years that a sitting Los Angeles mayor has lost a reelection campaign.

Raman received support from the Democratic Socialists of America and other progressive organizations, positioning her victory alongside a growing number of successful democratic socialist candidates in major American cities.

Her election follows the November 2025 victory of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City.

Although both Raman and Bass are Democrats, the candidates represented different political approaches to governing Los Angeles.

Bass entered the contest with support from prominent Democratic figures and much of the city’s political establishment, while Raman campaigned as a challenger promising changes to municipal administration and public services.

The race developed into a referendum on Bass’ management of homelessness, public safety and the city’s response to the devastating January 2025 wildfires.

The Palisades Fire became a particularly damaging issue for the incumbent after revelations about emergency preparedness and the city’s handling of dangerous fire conditions.

Bass was outside the country when the fire began, drawing criticism over her administration’s response during the disaster.

Raman argued that Los Angeles residents had lost confidence in city government’s ability to address major problems and needed a different approach to public administration.

The election represented a striking reversal for Raman, who had initially supported Bass’ reelection campaign before entering the contest herself shortly before the February filing deadline.

She subsequently built a volunteer-driven campaign with support from the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the Sierra Club and other progressive organizations.

During the June primary, Bass finished first with approximately 34.3% of the vote, while Raman narrowly secured second place over Republican reality television personality Spencer Pratt, advancing to the November runoff.

Raman’s campaign emphasized reducing street homelessness, expanding affordable housing, improving public transportation and strengthening city services.

She proposed expanding medical outreach teams for homeless residents and reducing the number of people living in street encampments by at least half before Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The incoming mayor has also pledged changes to the Los Angeles Police Department, including replacing Police Chief Jim McDonnell, whom she criticized over the department’s approach to federal immigration enforcement.

Her position drew opposition from police representatives, who warned that changes to department leadership and staffing could undermine public safety.

Bass, meanwhile, defended her administration’s work on homelessness and crime, arguing that Los Angeles needed continuity as it prepared for major international events, including the Olympics.

Her reelection campaign received endorsements from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with prominent local elected officials.

Despite that support, Raman gained ground among younger voters, renters and residents dissatisfied with city government.

Election-night returns initially showed Bass with a narrow lead, but subsequent counts of mail ballots shifted the advantage decisively toward Raman.

According to The Guardian’s election coverage, Raman acknowledged Bass’ years of public service after the election and emphasized the need to bring Los Angeles residents together.

“I love this city and I love its people. And I cannot wait to get started on building a better future together with all of you,” Raman said in a video statement following her victory.

Before entering elected office, Raman worked as an urban planner and helped establish the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, which provides assistance to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

She was elected to the City Council in 2020, defeating incumbent David Ryu in District 4 after organizing a campaign focused on housing and homelessness.

Her victory made her the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America elected to the Los Angeles City Council.

Raman’s mayoral election now places a DSA-backed politician in charge of the nation’s second-largest city, with responsibility for a municipal government confronting budget pressures, housing shortages and persistent public safety concerns.

The mayor-elect will also oversee preparations for the 2028 Olympics, a major international event requiring coordination among city agencies, law enforcement and transportation officials.

Her proposals will require cooperation with the City Council, city departments and regional agencies, particularly on housing development and homelessness.

The election also reflects a generational shift in Los Angeles politics, replacing a longtime Democratic establishment figure with a younger progressive leader whose political career began through neighborhood organizing.

Bass’ defeat ends her first term as mayor after a political career that included serving as speaker of the California Assembly and representing Los Angeles in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Raman’s victory follows Democratic gains in congressional elections nationwide, although the Los Angeles contest involved two Democrats with competing approaches to governing.

With Bass conceding and the Associated Press calling the election, Raman is set to become the next mayor of Los Angeles as officials complete the remaining ballot count and prepare for the transition.