Nithya Raman elected mayor of Los Angeles

Democratic socialist Nithya Raman has been elected mayor of Los Angeles, delivering a surprise victory over incumbent Karen Bass.

The 45-year-old Raman entered the race viewed by many in California as a longshot but prevailed against Bass, a fellow Democrat who previously served in the U.S. Congress and, until this contest, had never lost an election for public office.

Raman has often been compared to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani: both identify as democratic socialists and ran on progressive platforms that emphasized housing, public services and community-led policy.

Concession and immediate aftermath

Bass telephoned Raman to acknowledge the outcome and concede defeat, according to local reports. The result marks a notable shift in Los Angeles politics and hands leadership of the nation’s second-largest city to a progressive figure.

Campaign observers and local officials said the outcome could reshape debates over city priorities, including homelessness, housing affordability and policing reform. Raman’s victory will focus attention on how her administration translates progressive promises into municipal policy.

Photo: Geti)