Nithya Raman to become Los Angeles mayor after unseating incumbent

Los Angeles voters are poised to replace Mayor Karen Bass with Nithya Raman, a shift that upends the local political establishment. The outcome was confirmed as early votes were tallied on Tuesday, November 3.

Raman will assume the mayoral office even though every single member of the City Council endorsed Bass. This makes her victory a notable anomaly in local politics, comparable to a less popular student being elected class president.

The challenger’s rise came despite a recent history of policy reversals. Raman previously supported Bass’s signature homelessness strategy before withdrawing her endorsement. This move prompted whispers within City Hall regarding her reliability. Her support from the Democratic Socialists of America, the organization that initially backed her, was also described as lukewarm.

Voters cited the city’s condition as their primary motivation. Robert Martinez, a retired IT worker, stepped out of the Eagle Rock Rec Center polling place to say he voted for Raman to seek change. He pointed to the ongoing homelessness epidemic and the deteriorating state of city infrastructure. “I saw what happened these last four years,” Martinez said, “and I’m hoping something different goes on this time.”

Bass’s position was weakened by her absence from the city in January 2025. She left town during the period that led to the fires in Pacific Palisades. Her unfavorability rating rose sharply, and undecided voters nearly matched the support levels of both major candidates in the final stretch.

The incoming mayor faces a list of administrative challenges. The homeless population in Los Angeles exceeds 40,000. Roads and sidewalks are in poor repair, and the rebuilding of the Palisades is ongoing. The city is also preparing for the 2028 Olympics, which will strain the budget. Tom Hogen-Esch, a political science professor at Cal State Northridge, described these as wicked problems within a tangled governmental system.

Raman has identified key allies to help navigate these issues. Kenneth Mejia, the City Controller, monitors city inefficiencies, while Lindsey Horvath, a county supervisor, supports her approach. Horvath noted that Raman’s campaign focused on building power by acknowledging voter exasperation rather than forming traditional coalitions. “You’re right, it is daunting,” Horvath said, “but I don’t think it was a secret to Nithya when she got into the race.”

As mayor, Raman plans to increase housing production, add bike lanes, and replace the current police chief. She intends to manage the city using data to assess departmental effectiveness. This approach contrasts with the previous administration’s style, which critics described as tolerant of stagnant leadership. In her own district, homelessness has declined, and Raman has criticized the cost and pace of Bass’s efforts.

Voters remain divided on Raman’s policy direction. Nearly half of those who voted are wary that she may move the city too far left. Jon Manzanares, a resident of Studio City, voted for Raman after five years of reporting issues at an abandoned property near his home. He felt Bass had her chance and failed to deliver results. “I ended up voting with Raman,” Manzanares said. “I feel like Bass had her shot and didn’t do much with it.”