Progressive Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman has unseated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, positioning herself to become the first South Asian leader of the United States’ second-largest city. The Associated Press confirmed the result on Thursday, reporting that Raman secured 52 percent of the vote. And every single day since, I have carried that responsibility with me,” Bass wrote, you gave me the honor of serving the city that raised me.
Raman, 45, achieved the victory despite facing a well-funded incumbent who held the backing of high-profile Democratic figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The outcome marks the first time in over two decades that a sitting Los Angeles mayor has lost a re-election bid. With figures such as Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros and Chris Rabb winning their first terms as US representatives, some of those wins came in congressional races.
A former urban planner born in India, Raman’s campaign received significant support from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Her success arrives amidst a broader wave of electoral momentum for the left-wing organization, which claimed credit for over 100 victories during the midterm cycle out of roughly 300 contests it participated in. According to on its website, the DSA has claimed credit for contributing to at least 300 candidacies or ballot referendums during the midterms, and it, It is on track to count 105 of those as victories.
This shift mirrors the recent ascent of other democratic socialist candidates, such as New York City’s Zohran Mamdani. A record number of candidates backed or affiliated with the DSA won federal offices in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
The race saw an unconventional start, as Raman—once an ally of Bass who had initially supported her re-election—entered the contest in February just hours before the filing deadline. Following her win, she addressed supporters by critiquing the existing local governance. She stated, “For too long our broken and unjust status quo has convinced Angelenos that this is the best that we can do.”
Raman’s platform centers on expanding affordable housing, revitalizing neglected public services, and shifting the city’s homelessness strategy toward increased medical outreach. Additionally, she has signaled a desire to replace the city’s police chief, citing concerns over departmental cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The administration of outgoing Mayor Bass faced immense pressure over the last four years, particularly regarding the city’s persistent homelessness crisis and the handling of the catastrophic Palisades Fire. In a statement acknowledging the transition, Bass congratulated her successor, noting, “Moving this city forward is what Los Angeles needs from all of us.” Her defeat follows a difficult four years in office.
Looking ahead, Raman faces the challenge of managing a population of more than 3.8 million people. Her term will also involve presiding over the city’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games, scheduled to commence in July of that year.
