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Karen Bass takes Election Day swipe at Nithya Raman with embarrassing blooper reel
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman traded campaign videos on Election Day as their mayoral race reached its climax. Bass’s reel used Raman’s past remarks and campaign controversies to argue she was not ready to lead the city, while Raman countered with clips of Bass in awkward interviews and called for accountability.
Bass’s video included Raman struggling to name a police chief she admired, describing herself as being in a “fugue state” after a debate, and defending a specific policy associated with former police chief Daryl Gates, whom she has called racist. It also revisited a deleted video that showed Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell alongside the phrase “Only you can stop fascist liars”; Raman’s campaign said the imagery was added by the video’s creator and her remarks referred to federal authorities. Bass also criticised Raman over a 2024 comment about homeless encampments near schools, council meeting attendance and lack of support from fellow Democratic socialists. California polls were due to close at 8 p.m.
In short
- Bass released a reel attacking Raman’s campaign record.
- Raman answered with a reel highlighting Bass’s interview moments.
- California polls were due to close at 8 p.m.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Bass’s video can be seen as a legitimate test of Raman’s readiness for a demanding office, using her own remarks and record to question her judgement, policy consistency and effectiveness on the council. In a close election, voters benefit from scrutiny of candidates’ statements and conduct, provided the clips are presented fairly and in context.
The case against
Raman’s response can be seen as a fair call for accountability from an incumbent whose own public remarks and interviews are open to scrutiny. A campaign reel built from awkward moments, a deleted video disputed by Raman’s campaign and selective excerpts may distort context rather than help voters assess policy or governing ability.
Explained simply
Los Angeles is run by a mayor and a city council, which makes decisions on services including policing and homelessness. Karen Bass, a Democrat, became mayor in 2022; Nithya Raman is a city councilmember and another Democrat seeking the office.
The race has drawn attention to disagreements over public safety and how the city handles homeless encampments. Bass and Raman have also faced scrutiny over past remarks and campaign videos, making their records and readiness to lead central points of debate.