Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman has defeated incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the mayoral election, delivering an unexpected political setback that has surprised California political analysts. Raman began the race as an underdog, while Bass entered the contest as an established political figure who had previously served as a member of the US Congress and had never lost an election.
Raman’s victory has drawn comparisons with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Both are Democratic Socialists who contested elections on progressive agendas and have attracted support for their political positions.
Responding to comparisons with New York's Democratic Socialist Mayor Mamdani, Raman said, "He is one of the most popular leaders in America right now. I am very happy to be compared with him because he is extremely skilled at communicating and leading. But I am different from him. I have my own distinct identity."
Following the election result, Bass acknowledged the outcome in a statement, writing, "Although this is not the result we had hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have made their decision. This city demands that all of us work to move Los Angeles forward. I love Los Angeles. I believe in Los Angeles. And I will continue to ensure that the promise of a better life is fulfilled for everyone."
Nithya Raman, who is of Indian origin, is an urban planner by profession. She studied at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is a working mother and represents District 4 on the Los Angeles City Council.
Raman first contested the City Council election in 2020 and secured a historic victory. She became the first Asian-American woman and the first South Asian to serve on the Los Angeles City Council. In March 2024, she was re-elected to the position with a substantial majority.
Since taking office, Raman has prioritised providing effective and sensitive services for homeless people, increasing the availability of affordable housing and accelerating efforts to meet the city's climate goals.
She is a member of the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee. She also serves on the Homelessness and Health Committee, the Public Safety Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on Charter Reform.
Raman lives in the Silver Lake neighbourhood of Los Angeles with her husband, Vali Chandrasekaran, and their twins, Karn and Kaveri. Her husband is a television writer.
In an April 2023 post on her X account, Raman wrote about her husband's work in the entertainment industry and the challenges faced by television writers.
"My husband, who is my favourite person in the world after my children, is a TV writer and an active member of the Writers Guild of America West. I have watched him and his colleagues deal with the major changes and upheaval in the entertainment industry. During this period, writers' earnings have declined despite an increase in industry profits and production budgets," she wrote.
During her mayoral campaign, Raman promised to address homelessness, expand housing in the city, protect jobs amid continuing layoffs in Hollywood and safeguard residents against immigration enforcement actions.
She also pledged to tackle several other urban challenges, including supporting efforts to beautify the city, repairing roads and revitalising Los Angeles' nightlife.
However, one of the biggest issues in the mayoral election was the devastating wildfires that struck Los Angeles in 2025. The fires claimed dozens of lives and destroyed several neighbourhoods. Bass faced intense political criticism over her absence during the emergency and the city's handling of the disaster.
The next mayor of Los Angeles will also be responsible for overseeing the city as it prepares to host the Super Bowl in 2027 and the Summer Olympic Games in 2028.
Although Raman initially appeared to be a relatively weak candidate, her support gradually grew, particularly among younger voters. Earlier this year, she also moved ahead of reality television star Spencer Pratt in the primary election.
Raman's victory over Bass reflects a broader shift in voter preferences across parts of the United States. Democrats have secured major electoral victories nationwide, including in areas traditionally dominated by the Republican Party, where liberal candidates had not won elections for decades.
In Washington, DC, Democratic Socialist Janice Lewis George has also been elected mayor, strengthening the presence of progressive leadership in another major American city.
US President Donald Trump was asked at the White House about the victories of candidates from the left wing of the Democratic Party. Responding to the results, he said, "If you look at history, this is going to prove to be a disaster."
Candidates with progressive and Democratic Socialist platforms have increasingly become major targets of Republican Party attacks.
Karen Bass, Los Angeles' first Black mayor, has deep roots in the city and its history. Her defeat marks a significant change in the city's political leadership, as Raman prepares to take charge of Los Angeles ahead of two major international sporting events and amid continuing challenges involving housing, homelessness, public safety and urban recovery.
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