Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman Defeats Incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Nithya Raman, a city council member and Indian immigrant considered an underdog, defeated Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election. Bass conceded the race. The victory means that the two largest US cities will now be led by democratic socialists.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 6 November 2026 at 06:313 min read

The key facts

Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who conceded the race
Raman and New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani are democratic socialists, meaning the two largest US cities will now be led by politicians from this wing
The 2025 wildfires and Bass's absence during the emergency became a central campaign issue

Shock victory for an underdog

Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and Indian immigrant, defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the race for city leadership. As noted by BBC News, Raman began her campaign as a clear underdog against a political heavyweight who had previously served in Congress and never lost an election. Bass announced her concession on social media, writing: 'Although this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken.'

Platform and main campaign theme

Raman ran on a platform of change and fighting against a 'broken status quo and politicians who have let people down time and again.' She promised to reduce homelessness, increase housing construction, protect jobs in Hollywood, shield residents from immigration raids, and address roads, urban beautification, and the revival of the city's nightlife. According to the BBC, the decisive issue of the race was the 2025 wildfires, which claimed dozens of lives and destroyed entire neighborhoods: Bass faced harsh criticism for her absence during the emergency and for the city's response to the disaster.

What this means in the national context

Raman's victory means that the two most populous cities in the US—New York and Los Angeles—will be led by democratic socialists: Raman was often compared to New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani, as both ran on progressive platforms. Earlier this year, Raman surpassed reality TV star Spencer Pratt in the primaries, securing support primarily from young voters. The BBC links her victory to a broader wave of Democratic Party successes in the midterm elections, including regions that had not seen liberal leadership for decades: in Washington, D.C., democratic socialist Janice Lewis George was also elected mayor. Donald Trump, asked at the White House about the successes of the left wing of the Democrats, replied: 'Judging by history, this will be a catastrophe.' Such candidates have become the primary target of Republican attacks.

Bass's legacy and the new mayor's tasks

Bass was a prominent figure in Congress and became the first Black mayor of Los Angeles; her ties to the city run deep—in 1992, she worked as a community organizer during the riots sparked by police brutality following the beating of Rodney King. The next mayor will lead the city during the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.