Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist and member of the Los Angeles City Council, has won the mayoral race in Los Angeles, defeating incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The Associated Press called the race on Thursday, November 5, 2026, with Raman securing 52.1% of the vote to Bass’s 47.9%.
A Shift in Urban Leadership
Raman's victory changes the political dynamics in the nation's second-largest city. Her win means that the two largest cities in the U.S., as well as the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., are now all led by democratic socialist mayors. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), was elected mayor last year. On Tuesday, Janeese Lewis George, another DSA member, won the mayoral race in Washington D.C.
“Los Angeles, I’m deeply honored to be your next mayor,” Raman said in a video statement shared on social media. 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. Thank you so much Los Angeles.
During her campaign, she emphasized her desire to build a city that works for everyone.
An Outsider’s Campaign
Raman’s campaign was defined by her status as a political outsider. An urban planner by training, she first broke into politics in 2020 by unseating an establishment Democrat on the LA City Council, a victory one political analyst called a political earthquake
. This was the first time a sitting city council member had been ousted in 17 years. Raman's campaign was helped by her grassroots efforts, including a record 80,000 doors knocked and a volunteer force of 2,000 people.
Los Angeles, I am deeply honored to be your next mayor. I just spoke with Mayor Bass and expressed my deepest gratitude for her leadership and decades of service. Los Angeles would not be the city it is today without her. I love this city. I believe in its people. The work… pic.twitter.com/rLNPyNafxt
— https://x.com/nithyavraman/status/2118438804063445171
Her mayoral platform focused on aggressive housing construction, promising to triple annual housing production in the city to address affordability and homelessness. She also pledged to improve public services and has been critical of the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles, stating that elected officials in LA have simply not stepped up to protect residents in the way that we all deserve.
Bass, a more moderate Democrat who has served as mayor since 2022, faced criticism for her handling of the deadly Palisades Fire in 2025 and her efforts to reduce homelessness, which Raman deemed ineffective. Despite endorsements from prominent Democrats like Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Bass was unable to secure a second term. She becomes the first Los Angeles mayor in two decades to lose a reelection bid.
Election Results Draw Varied Reactions
The election results have drawn national attention and varied reactions. President Trump, when asked about the election of democratic socialists, predicted it would be a disaster
, saying It’s going to be a disaster. Unfortunately, usually that happens so late that you’ll never be able to bring back a city, or a country or a state, when it goes too far.
Raman’s path to victory was complicated by her relationship with the local DSA chapter. The chapter did not endorse her during the primary, after she had previously endorsed Bass. However, after she advanced to the general election, the DSA-LA endorsement came, though it was noted as complicated
due to her history with the organization.
"The work Karen Bass is doing in Los Angeles is making our entire state stronger. An 18% decline in homelessness while it grew nationally, historic drops in violent crime, boosting film production in L. A., and protecting our communities against ICE. She has my full support for… pic.twitter.com/ZH5auDHyka
— https://x.com/KarenBassLA/status/2060008868709908907
As Raman prepares to take office, she faces the challenge of uniting a city where many of her former colleagues on the City Council, including fellow democratic socialists, backed her opponent. Even though every city councilperson said they were standing with Karen Bass, not very many of the people they represent followed them to the polls,
said Kurt Peterson, a leader of hospitality union Unite Here local 11, which endorsed Raman.
Thank you, Los Angeles. Serving as your mayor has been the honor of my life. pic.twitter.com/ObC2zrVao9
— https://x.com/KarenBassLA/status/2118428093220286633
