Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass to win Los Angeles mayoral race

Summary

Nithya Raman, an urban planner and Los Angeles City Council member since 2020, won the city's mayoral race on Thursday, unseating incumbent Democrat Karen Bass after a neck-and-neck contest. Raman is a democratic socialist with ties to the DSA, and she becomes the first South Asian mayor of Los Angeles, the second-largest US city. Her campaign was once seen as a long shot; she entered the race hours before the filing deadline, shortly after endorsing Bass for re-election. Reports say she has promised action on homelessness and affordable housing, and she will lead the city as it prepares to host the 2028 Olympics. Reports also say that with her win, the two largest US cities and Washington DC have all elected democratic socialist mayors, following Zohran Mamdani's rise in New York.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   5 Nov 2026, 19:50 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Raman unseated Mayor Karen Bass on Thursday after a neck-and-neck race, and profiles her close ties to Hollywood progressives and her complicated relationship with the DSA.

2. TIME

   5 Nov 2026, 20:08 UTCSource ↗

   TIME reports that progressive Nithya Raman defeated Los Angeles incumbent Democrat Karen Bass to become the city's next leader.

3. The Guardian

   5 Nov 2026, 21:12 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Raman, once considered a long shot, ousted Bass, whom she had endorsed for re-election shortly before entering the race hours before the filing deadline.

4. Financial Times

   5 Nov 2026, 21:15 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Los Angeles elected democratic socialist Nithya Raman as mayor, following Zohran Mamdani's rise in New York and victories by other progressives in Washington and Providence.

5. The Hindu

   5 Nov 2026, 21:31 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that India-born Raman, the first DSA-affiliated Los Angeles City Council member, beat the Democratic incumbent and will lead the city as it prepares to host the 2028 Olympics.

6. Al Jazeera

   5 Nov 2026, 23:46 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that DSA-backed Raman won, becoming the city's first South Asian mayor, and promises action on homelessness and affordable housing.