Nithya Raman Wins Los Angeles Mayoral Race Against Karen Bass

UPDATE - follow-up to Nithya Raman ousts incumbent Karen Bass in LA mayor's race, CBS News projects: Councilmember Nithya Raman is set to become the next mayor of Los Angeles after defeating incumbent Karen Bass in the November general election. This win follows strong victories for Democrats across the country on Election Day. This marks the first time a challenger has ousted a sitting LA mayor since Antonio Villaraigosa defeated James Hahn in 2005.

Reactions and Transition

Raman released a video statement on Thursday afternoon thanking her volunteers and voters, and directly addressing those who voted for Bass or did not vote at all. She also praised Bass for her decades of service and her historic role as the first woman mayor of LA. Bass released a statement on Thursday morning conceding the race, confirming she called Raman to congratulate her, and promised a smooth transition. Bass noted that this will be her final campaign for public office after more than two decades serving as a congresswoman and the city's 43rd mayor. Meanwhile, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger congratulated Raman and stressed the need to work together on homelessness, public safety, housing affordability, and preparing for the Olympics.

Background

Raman, a Democratic socialist, launched her surprise bid for mayor in February after initially endorsing Bass's reelection bid, and eventually advanced past third-place candidate Spencer Pratt in the June primary. Before winning election to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020, she co-founded a homeless advocacy nonprofit and led a neighborhood council homelessness committee. In 2025, she successfully introduced a motion that passed 13-2 to cap annual rent increases for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments built before 1978. Bass began her career as a nurse and physician assistant, founded the Community Coalition to aid South LA residents, served in the California Assembly as the first Black woman to become Speaker of a state legislative body, and spent 12 years in the U.S. House before becoming mayor. Ahead of the election, Bass picked up endorsements from figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and her former 2022 mayoral rival Rick Caruso.

Context

Mayoral elections in large American cities like Los Angeles often draw national attention due to the scale of local challenges such as housing and public safety. Incumbent mayors rarely lose reelection bids, making a challenger's victory a notable political shift. The transition of power requires coordination between the outgoing administration and the incoming mayor's team to maintain city services without interruption.