Raman Takes L.A. Mayor Post as Bass Concedes 4.2% Deficit
The 4.2% lead held by Nithya Raman over incumbent Karen Bass is expected to widen as late-arriving ballots are processed, securing a transition of power in Los Angeles.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Nithya Raman has won the mayoral election in Los Angeles, taking the seat from incumbent Karen Bass. The margin currently stands at 4.2% in Raman’s favor, a figure that is projected to expand as remaining ballots are processed.
Early returns on election night showed Bass holding a slight advantage. However, the final count shifted in Raman’s direction due to a high volume of late-arriving mail-in votes. These ballots skew toward younger demographics and renters, groups that heavily supported Raman. As of Thursday morning, the gap between the two candidates continued to widen.
Bass acknowledged the result in a written statement. She said, “While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken.” She added that she had called Raman to congratulate her and pledged to ensure a smooth transition of duties.
Raman entered the race in February, a late addition that initially saw her trailing reality star Spencer Pratt in the primary. She gained traction by appealing to voters dissatisfied with Bass’s tenure. A Berkeley IGS/L.A. Times poll conducted on Oct. 28 had the two candidates tied at 40% support each. Raman addressed her supporters at the Greek Theatre plaza shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, telling the crowd, “I’m very hopeful.”
The campaign featured distinct policy focuses. Bass emphasized public safety, noting that Raman had previously opposed certain police funding measures and anti-camping zones. Raman positioned herself as a new voice not tied to existing City Hall relationships. She also attracted support from Hollywood figures, including endorsements from Tina Fey, Adam Scott, and Colin Jost.
Raman has served on the Los Angeles City Council since 2020. She was the first Asian-American woman and the first South Asian resident to hold that office. She won a second term in 2024. Her background includes degrees from Harvard and MIT and prior work as an urban planner. She also co-founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition and co-chaired the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Homelessness Committee.
Bass, who has led the city since 2022, faced criticism regarding homelessness, civic disorder, and her management of the 2025 Palisades fire. Those issues played a central role in the final stretch of the campaign.
