Who is Nithya Raman, the democratic socialist who will be Los Angeles’s next mayor?
Urban planner and outsider who bested Karen Bass has close ties to Hollywood progressives – and a complicated relationship with the DSA Nithya Raman on Thursday unseated Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass after a neck-and-neck race for the leadership for the US’s second largest city. The young progressive’s victory means that the two largest cities in the US, as well the nation’s capital, Washington…
Democratic socialist Nithya Raman shocked the Los Angeles political scene by defeating incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in a historic upset. This victory puts South Asian immigrants on track to lead America's two most populous cities, with New York already under the rule of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani. Raman, 45, immigrated to the U.S. from India as a child.
Her win comes as voters embrace a new generation of immigrant leaders who challenge the Democratic establishment and promise affordable housing and better government. Raman led Bass with 52.1% of the vote to the incumbent's 47.9%, according to unofficial results. Bass, who won in 2022, conceded and pledged a smooth transition, taking office on December 14.
Raman capitalized on growing frustration over homelessness, housing costs, and Bass's handling of the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire. She won a significant portion of the Latino vote and young voters, particularly those under 30. Raman's win marks a historic shift in urban American politics, with democratic socialism gaining a powerful foothold in America's largest cities.
As Raman prepares to lead City Hall, she faces a homelessness crisis, a housing shortage, and the 2028 Olympics, all while facing pressure to deliver on democratic socialism's promises.
Written by urgent.news from Axios's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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