Just after 11 p.m. on election night, Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman took the stage at the Greek Theatre in a plum-colored dress, while Mayor Karen Bass held a narrow lead in early returns, the LA Times reported.
The campaign started on the final possible day to file, drawing early dismissals from rivals who viewed the effort as amateurish against an incumbent backed by nearly the entire local Democratic establishment. Raman, 45, stood on the crest of an anti-establishment wave driven by voter frustration over the high cost of living and a mayor who faced mounting criticism during consecutive local crises.
The Coalition Behind Raman and the National Blue Wave
Standing before the crowd at the Greek Theatre plaza was the diverse coalition that powered the campaign. The local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America secured notable early showings, with Marissa Roy leading in the city attorney’s race and Angela Gonzales-Torres holding a substantial advantage in her Eastside congressional matchup against incumbent Jimmy Gomez, according to the LA Times.
Young voters participated heavily, including 23-year-old Cal State Northridge student Arthur Johnson, who waited in a long campus line to vote in person because he wanted an old-school feeling. Johnson noted to the LA Times that many of his peers voted for the first time out of widespread frustration with national and local leadership.
| Candidate / Race | Key Standing / Status | Voter Demographics & Coalition Support |
|---|---|---|
| Nithya Raman (L.A. Mayor’s Race) | Narrow lead in early returns | Democratic socialists, young voters, first-time participants |
| Marissa Roy (City Attorney’s Race) | Ahead in initial counts | Progressive and DSA-backed alignment |
| Angela Gonzales-Torres (Congressional Matchup) | Substantial lead over incumbent Jimmy Gomez | Eastside community and grassroots organizations |
Meanwhile, East Los Angeles resident Eloisa Galindo and her group, Eastside Padres Contra la Privatización, supported Raman after feeling overlooked during local industrial incidents like the Lineage warehouse fire. Galindo shared with the LA Times that Raman paid attention to residents who felt forgotten by the municipal administration.
Raman’s Speech and the Celebration at the Greek Theatre
As The Four Tops’ “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” faded out, Raman addressed the cheering crowd, asking whether they were ready for an L.A. that loves them back. Her speech surveyed local history from early immigrants to Cecil B. DeMille, connecting her campaign to a broader national election year where voters demanded change from a broken status quo.
Supporters celebrated amid updates on national contests, sharing news of progressive wins in other states. Early in her remarks, Raman invited the audience onto the dance floor to the sound of Motown and Selena favorites. She closed her speech by bringing her family to the stage—her parents, brother, husband, and twin 10-year-old children.
More on Greek Theatre
“It’s looking damn good,” says L. A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia as he takes the stage at Nithya Raman’s election party at the Greek Theatre. pic.twitter.com/5q36OBBG4q
Nithya Raman takes the stage outside the Greek Theatre, saying, “I’m hopeful. I’m very hopeful. But I’m also very superstitious so we’re going to stay cool.” pic.twitter.com/hXIbNVSD3c
The bartenders at Nithya Raman’s election night party at the Greek Theatre say they’ve been told to expect 1,700 people. They’ve got Veuve by the bottle, if that’s your thing. pic.twitter.com/UEUTbPnlI0
