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Nithya Raman and Karen Bass Head to Costner ‘Swing Vote’ Territory
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman were separated by about 4,000 votes early in the count, leaving the race too close to call. With hundreds of thousands of ballots still outstanding and counting expected to take days, the result could take weeks; the contest matters because both candidates have pledged support for the city’s film industry.
About 600,000 votes had been counted by midnight, with roughly 580,000 remaining. Raman, a fellow Democrat positioned to Bass’s left, has previously gained ground as ballots were counted: in last June’s primary, she overcame an early deficit to secure a place in the runoff. Bass also faced a close contest in 2022, eventually defeating Rick Caruso by nearly ten points after three weeks of counting.
In short
- Bass led Raman by around 4,000 votes early in the count.
- About 580,000 ballots remained.
- The final result may take weeks.
Explained simply
Los Angeles has a mayor who leads the city government and is elected by voters. Karen Bass, a Democrat, became mayor after winning the 2022 election against businessman Rick Caruso; Nithya Raman, also a Democrat, is a city council member challenging her.
The city counts mail-in and other ballots over several days, so early totals can change as more votes are added. Raman has previously gained ground during counting, while Bass’s 2022 race also took weeks to settle.
The contest matters to the film industry because both candidates have pledged support for it. Film and television production are a significant part of Los Angeles’s economy and identity.