By Basant El-Faramawy
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass in a close race Thursday, becoming the city's next mayor and marking the election of democratic socialist mayors in the two largest U.S. cities and Washington, D.C.
From City Council Upset to Mayoral Victory
Raman, an urban planner and political outsider, first entered politics in 2020 by ousting an establishment Democrat on the Los Angeles City Council, a victory described as a "political earthquake." Her campaign knocked on 80,000 doors and mobilized 2,000 volunteers, a record she cited as key to her 2020 win. Endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, she became the first Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidate elected in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Connections and Progressive Endorsements
Raman has cultivated close ties to Hollywood progressives, including endorsements from the Writers Guild of America West and younger celebrities such as Mindy Kaling, Adam Scott, and Jaboukie Young-White. She previously served as entertainment director for Time's Up during the #MeToo movement. Her husband, Vali Chandrasekaran, is a longtime television writer.
Housing and Homelessness at Center of Platform
Housing affordability, homelessness, and tenants' rights are central to Raman's platform. She aims to triple annual housing construction across all income levels, an approach that earned her an endorsement from YIMBY Action. Before office, she co-founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition in 2017, which now claims 800 volunteers.
Lack of Council Support Highlights Outsider Appeal
Despite her progressive credentials, Raman won without support from most City Council colleagues, including the three other democratic socialists on the council who endorsed Bass. Bass criticized Raman's ability to work with colleagues during a debate. Raman's outsider status resonated with voters frustrated with the Democratic establishment, as noted by Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano.
Complex Relationship with Democratic Socialists
Raman's relationship with the local DSA chapter has been complicated. The chapter initially withheld endorsement during the primary but later backed her "enthusiastically" for the runoff, citing past tensions over her stance on Palestine and a near-rescission of the endorsement by national DSA organizers. DSA-LA celebrated her victory before the race was officially called.
Pragmatic Independence and Comparisons to New York Mayor
Raman emphasizes political independence, highlighting her willingness to break with allies on issues such as reforming the city's mansion tax. She describes her approach as pragmatic rather than ideological, favoring a Scandinavian-style social democracy over an explicitly anti-capitalist vision. While grateful for comparisons to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, she insists on her distinct identity.
