Nithya Raman Defeats Karen Bass in Los Angeles Mayoral Race, CNN Projects

Nithya Raman, a Democratic socialist and city councilmember, has defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayor’s race, CNN’s Decision Desk projects. This victory signals a significant shift in the city’s leadership as Raman prepares to tackle pressing issues like homelessness ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

Runoff Election Results and Voter Breakdown

The Los Angeles mayoral race culminated in a runoff between incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman after the June nonpartisan primary. Bass, a Democratic former congresswoman and a 73-year-old political establishment figure, led the primary with 34.3% of the vote, totaling 292,593 votes. Raman secured 29.0%, with 247,781 votes, narrowly surpassing Republican Spencer Pratt, who garnered 25.5% or 217,977 votes. The combined votes for Raman and Pratt, both seen as outsiders, exceeded 54%, underscoring voters’ appetite for change and the challenges Bass faced in winning a second term.

Significance of Raman’s Victory

Raman’s win marks a continuation of democratic socialists gaining major city leadership roles, joining New York, Washington, DC, and Seattle. At 45 years old, her victory ends Bass’s long tenure as a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and local politics. Bass notably made history in 2008 as the first Black woman speaker of any state legislative body in U.S. history. Raman’s success is seen as a harsh blow to the Los Angeles political establishment, including major unions that supported Bass.

Key Issues Influencing the Election

The campaign was heavily influenced by voter dissatisfaction with how Bass handled the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires and ongoing challenges such as housing affordability and homelessness. Raman has pledged to cut street homelessness in half before Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympic Games. These issues were also central to Pratt’s campaign during the primary, reflecting widespread concern among voters about entrenched problems in the city.

Broader Implications for the Democratic Party

The outcome in Los Angeles highlights the growing influence of the Democratic Party’s progressive insurgency. Since last year, democratic socialists have won mayoral offices in the nation’s two largest cities—New York and Los Angeles—as well as Washington, DC, and Seattle. The ideological battles witnessed in this mayoral race are expected to intensify nationally as the 2028 Democratic presidential primary approaches, with party leaders and voters debating the viability of progressive strategies beyond deep-blue cities.

Raman’s victory represents a clear demand from Los Angeles voters for new leadership and fresh approaches to longstanding urban challenges. As she prepares to take office, all eyes will be on how she delivers on her ambitious promises in one of the nation’s most complex cities.