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Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayor race

Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayor race

Rule Changes Los Angeles, CA local

The City Council member and Democratic Socialist becomes the first South Asian mayor of Los Angeles.

4 days ago: Urbanize LA rounds up reactions to Raman's win

Overview

Updated 4 days ago

Karen Bass conceded the Los Angeles mayor's race on Nov. 5, 2026, after late-counted ballots pushed City Council member Nithya Raman to 52.1%. Raman will be the city's first South Asian mayor and the first challenger to unseat an incumbent since Antonio Villaraigosa defeated James Hahn in 2005.

Raman ran with the Democratic Socialists of America's endorsement and a tenants' rights platform, promising to remove Police Chief Jim McDonnell and focus City Hall on housing, homelessness and basic services. Her win means the country's two largest cities, New York and Los Angeles, will be led by democratic socialists.

Why it matters

Los Angeles will be run by a democratic socialist for the first time, with direct consequences for housing, policing and the 2028 Olympics.

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Key Indicators

52%
Raman's vote share
Share in the Los Angeles County count released Thursday afternoon, when Bass conceded.
35,000
Raman's lead when Bass conceded
Late-arriving mail ballots pushed Raman ahead by about 34,650 votes.
$16M
Outside spending for Bass
Independent expenditures for Bass and against Raman topped $16 million.
$13M
Outside spending for Raman
Independent expenditures for Raman and against Bass reached $13 million.
11,000
Volunteers in Raman's door-knocking campaign
The campaign said volunteers knocked on more than 110,000 doors.

Voices

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People Involved

Nithya Raman
Nithya Raman
Los Angeles mayor-elect; City Council member for District 4
Mayor-elect; sworn in in December 2026
 Karen Bass
Karen Bass
Outgoing mayor of Los Angeles
Conceded race Nov. 5, 2026

Organizations Involved

Democratic Socialists of America
Democratic Socialists of America
Political organization
Endorsed Raman; she is a member

The Democratic Socialists of America is a left-wing political organization that endorsed Raman and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
LA
Los Angeles Police Protective League
Police union
Ran negative ads against Raman

The union representing rank-and-file Los Angeles police officers opposed Raman with ads focused on her stance on homeless encampments.

Timeline

February 2026 November 2026

5 events Latest: 4 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Urbanize LA rounds up reactions to Raman's win

    Latest Analysis

    The planning and real-estate site wrote that landlords are wary of Raman's tenant-rights record and her shifting position on Measure ULA, while urbanists point to her planning background. It also cited an Unrig LA analysis of the obstacles she faces.

  2. Bass concedes to Raman

    Election

    Raman led 52.1% to 47.9% in the Thursday afternoon count; Bass pledged a smooth transition.

  3. Election Day leaves Raman slightly behind

    Election

    Initial count showed Bass ahead, but analysts expected late mail ballots to favor Raman.

  4. Raman advances to runoff with Bass

    Election

    Raman finished second behind Bass; TV personality Spencer Pratt came in third.

  5. Raman files for mayor on final day

    Campaign

    After endorsing Bass weeks earlier, Raman entered the race and stunned the political establishment.

Scenarios

1

Raman replaces Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Raman campaign pledge, reported by LAist and the Los Angeles Times

Raman said during the campaign she would remove McDonnell as police chief. As mayor, she can move to appoint a replacement, though the process and City Council role will shape timing. The pledge was a central part of her police reform agenda.

2

Raman's first housing package clears City Council

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Raman campaign platform, reported by LAist

Raman campaigned on housing affordability and homelessness. A test of her agenda will be whether the City Council passes a Raman-backed housing or homelessness ordinance in her first year. The council's independence from her and its own divisions will determine the outcome.

3

Raman's first budget funds her basic-service priorities

Possible Resolves by Jul 1, 2027

Discussed by: Raman campaign slogan 'A City That Works,' reported by the Los Angeles Times

Raman promised faster pothole, sidewalk and streetlight repairs. Her first budget as mayor will show whether she can fund those priorities and housing programs. The City Council must adopt the budget.

4

City Council sets a date for the District 4 special election

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: City Hall procedure; Raman's mayoral transition

Raman's move to the mayor's office leaves her Hollywood-to-Sherman-Oaks council seat open. The City Council has to call a special election to fill it, and the timing will shape who holds the seat during her first year.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2005

Antonio Villaraigosa defeats James Hahn (2005)

City Council member Antonio Villaraigosa defeated incumbent Mayor James K. Hahn. It was the last time a challenger ousted a sitting Los Angeles mayor before Raman's win.

Then

Villaraigosa took office and became a prominent figure in California politics.

Now

No challenger defeated an incumbent Los Angeles mayor for more than two decades.

Why this matters now

Raman's win is the first repeat of that feat since 2005, showing how rare it is to unseat an Los Angeles mayor.

2022

Karen Bass elected first Black woman mayor (2022)

Bass, a former congresswoman and Assembly speaker, defeated developer Rick Caruso to become Los Angeles mayor. She was the first Black woman to hold the office.

Then

Bass entered office with a mandate to address homelessness and public safety.

Now

Four years later, she became the incumbent facing a left challenge amid dissatisfaction.

Why this matters now

Bass's 2022 win shows how firsts can give way to incumbent backlash, the dynamic Raman exploited.

Sources

(11)
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LAist Los Angeles Times NBC News PBS SoCal BBC News LA Public Press Urbanize LA The Center Square The Center Square Al Jazeera Los Angeles Times