Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass faces tight re-election battle against councilmember Nithya Raman

Los Angeles voters will decide this month whether incumbent Mayor Karen Bass can secure a second term as the city’s leader. Recent polls show Bass lagging behind councilmember Nithya Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who entered the race just before the filing deadline. Both candidates have raised roughly $2.5 million and are intensifying door-to-door outreach as ballots head to voters.

Raman’s campaign relies heavily on a network of volunteers organized by the local DSA chapter, which has been canvassing neighborhoods and holding training sessions to expand its field operation. The group praised Raman for her work on housing affordability and tenant protections, noting a decline in unsheltered homelessness in her council district.

Bass, who has served as mayor since 2022 after a long career in state and federal politics, has been campaigning across the city, visiting churches, volunteer events and community gatherings. > “I’ll be going until about nine,” she said at a park event, emphasizing her packed schedule of campaign and mayoral duties.

The race has drawn attention from community organizations, with both candidates speaking at forums hosted by the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. During a recent Jewish Federation forum, Bass said she did not consider the term “genocide” appropriate to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, while Raman defended her use of the term based on expert advice.

Political analysts note that the contest reflects a broader split within the Democratic base, pitting an established incumbent against a progressive challenger backed by labor unions and activist groups. > “The political establishment is what people are voting against, and of course, Bass represents that,” said a professor at Loyola Marymount University.

With the election approaching, both campaigns are seeking to win over undecided voters and former supporters of third-party candidate Spencer Pratt, who withdrew after a narrow primary loss. The outcome will determine the city’s direction on issues such as housing costs, homelessness, public safety and immigration policy.