Nithya Raman’s LA Mayor Win Over Karen Bass Boosts Democratic Socialist Movement

Newsweek · Gabe Whisnant · 2026-11-05 18:36 UTC

Nithya Raman ousted Karen Bass as democratic socialists extend their influence over America’s biggest cities.

Nithya Raman ousted incumbent Karen Bass as mayor of Los Angeles, delivering another major victory for democratic socialists and extending the movement's growing influence over some of America's largest cities.

Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member, defeated Bass, the former six-term congresswoman who has led the nation's second-largest city for one term.

Raman leads Bass 52.1 percent to 47.9 percent, with 76 percent of the expected vote counted, according to the Associated Press. Her margin, now 34,000 out of 820,000 votes tallied, has consistently increased since election night.

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