Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after later-counted ballots reversed Bass’s election-night lead. Bass conceded Thursday and pledged a smooth transition.
Bias breakdown and outlet coverageon the RUSH story page →
The result
Associated Press, BBC, The Guardian and The Epoch Times reported Raman’s victory and Bass’s concession. Later returns gave Raman more than 52% of the vote as counting continued.
Raman, 45, ran with support from the Democratic Socialists of America after serving on the City Council since 2020. Her victory follows Zohran Mamdani’s in New York, meaning the country’s two largest cities will be led by democratic socialists.
Transition and agenda
Raman thanked Bass and promised a city government capable of delivering on its commitments. The Epoch Times reported that she promised to earn people’s trust in Los Angeles and City Hall. New York Post covered her emerging transition team and the challenges she faces at City Hall.
Why this matters
The result was a contest between two Democrats rather than a partisan flip. Raman now faces homelessness, housing costs, a strained budget, public-safety questions and preparations for the 2028 Olympics.