By Basant El-Faramawy
NBC News projects that Democratic socialist Nithya Raman has defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race, marking a significant progressive upset in the nation's second-largest city.
Progressive wave expands
Raman, 45, a City Council member and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, unseated Bass, a former six-term congresswoman and decades-long fixture in California politics. The victory means three major U.S. cities will be led by democratic socialists, joining New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Washington, D.C., Mayor Janeese Lewis George.
Bass faced wildfire scrutiny
Bass drew intense criticism for her response to the January 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfire, the most destructive in Los Angeles history, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes while she was attending a presidential inauguration in Ghana.
Campaign contrasts
Raman accused Bass of mismanaging homelessness and rising housing costs, advocating for transformative policy changes. The candidates also split sharply on Israel's war in Gaza; Raman agreed with left-wing commentator Hasan Piker that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians, while Bass rejected that characterization.
Agenda and primary dynamics
The incoming mayor will oversee preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics, a massive test of the city's infrastructure and security. Raman initially endorsed Bass before launching her own late bid; both advanced from a June primary that also included populist candidate Spencer Pratt.
Raman was born in India, moved to the United States as a child, and holds degrees from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
