By — Michael R. Blood, Associated Press Michael R. Blood, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democratic-socialist-nithya-raman-defeats-los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-in-upset Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in upset Politics Nov 6, 2026 12:19 PM EST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nithya Raman, a little-known Los Angeles City Council member backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has defeated Mayor Karen Bass, an upset that will alter the trajectory of the nation's second-largest city. The India-born Raman's upstart campaign marked a generational shift at City Hall as voters followed the lead of New York, where democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected last year. Raman, though, never attracted the same level of national attention and stressed her willingness to break with the progressive party at times during the campaign. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. When she takes…
Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in upset
In short
Karen Bass conceded the race and offered congratulations, pledging to facilitate a seamless transition of power before the newly elected leadership takes office next month. The election concluded an eleventh-hour bid that was launched after the challenger argued the city had reached a critical breaking point. Beyond municipal reforms, the new agenda includes expanding public parks and public transit alongside an overhaul of local law enforcement leadership.
Key points
- The election marks a significant political shift driven by voter fallout over the city's…: The election marks a significant political shift driven by voter fallout over the city's response to the deadly Palisades Fire.
- The new administration intends to direct immediate city resources toward affordable housi…: The new administration intends to direct immediate city resources toward affordable housing, public transit, and fundamental municipal services.
- President Donald Trump responded to the growing trend by warning that local changes enact…: President Donald Trump responded to the growing trend by warning that local changes enacted by democratic socialists could prove irreversible.