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Nithya Raman leads Karen Bass in close Los Angeles mayoral race
Developing story first seen 4 hours ago
New coverage confirms that Decision Desk HQ has called the close Los Angeles mayoral race for challenger Nithya Raman, although the result remains unconfirmed as ballots are counted. If the lead holds, Raman will replace Karen Bass and Los Angeles will join New York and Washington, DC, under mayors associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
With 72 per cent of votes counted, Raman led Bass by 51.7 per cent to 48.3 per cent, and the full count could take another week. Bass faced criticism over her absence during the January 2025 Pacific Palisades fire and the slow rebuilding effort; Raman campaigned against homelessness and stalled development. Raman’s relationship with the DSA is unsettled, and the article says her policy differences with Bass were narrow.
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In short
- Decision Desk HQ called the race for Raman, but the count is incomplete.
- She led Bass by 51.7 per cent to 48.3 per cent.
- Raman’s DSA ties are unsettled and the result remains unconfirmed.
How this story developed
- 52 minutes ago The latest coverage also reported no change, with Raman maintaining the same lead while the final result remained pending.
- 1 hour ago No new results or developments were reported; Raman still led Bass by 51.7 per cent to 48.3 per cent with 72 per cent of ballots counted.
- 1 hour ago Decision Desk HQ called Los Angeles mayoral challenger Nithya Raman the winner over incumbent Karen Bass, but the count was incomplete and the race remained unresolved.
- Daily Mail LA elects its wokest ever mayor Nithya Raman after Karen Bass presided over wildfires disaster… with locals now fearful vagrant and drug filled City of Angels will descend even further into squalor
- New York Post Nithya Raman poised for LA mayoral victory over Karen Bass after latest ballot drop
- Reason Nithya Raman leads Karen Bass in close Los Angeles mayoral race
- New York Post Spencer Pratt issues scathing takedown of Karen Bass and Nithya Raman after decision in LA mayor race
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Raman’s supporters can argue that the close lead reflects voters’ demand for change after criticism of Bass’s response to the Palisades fire and the pace of rebuilding. They may see Raman’s focus on homelessness and stalled development as a chance to address urgent city problems and bring fresh leadership ahead of the Olympics.
The case against
Bass’s supporters can argue that the result remains unconfirmed and that a close race does not establish a mandate for a major change in direction. They may also contend that Bass’s experience matters as Los Angeles tackles rebuilding and housing pressures, and that Raman’s stated policy differences are relatively narrow, so a change in mayor may not bring a substantially different approach.
Explained simply
Los Angeles is governed by a mayor and a city council, which make decisions on services, housing and development. Karen Bass, a Democrat, became mayor in 2022; Nithya Raman is a city councillor who has also been backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, a political organisation within the broader left.
The mayor’s office faces questions about homelessness, housing construction and recovery from major fires, including rebuilding in Pacific Palisades. Los Angeles is also preparing to host the 2028 Olympic Games, which brings added attention to the city’s infrastructure and public services.
Coverage · 4 sources
Bias meters
From 4 rated sources.
- ReasonRightNithya Raman leads Karen Bass in close Los Angeles mayoral race
- Daily MailRightLA elects its wokest ever mayor Nithya Raman after Karen Bass presided over wildfires disaster… with locals now fearful vagrant and drug filled City of Angels will descend even further into squalor
- New York PostRightNithya Raman poised for LA mayoral victory over Karen Bass after latest ballot drop
- New York PostRightSpencer Pratt issues scathing takedown of Karen Bass and Nithya Raman after decision in LA mayor race
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Reason as “Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman Set To Oust L.A. Mayor Karen Bass”.