Nithya Raman Leads Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles Race
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman leads incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the mayoral race. Her progressive campaign and controversial remarks regarding Israel have drawn intense public scrutiny.
Nithya Raman, a 45-year-old Los Angeles City Council member, is leading the mayoral race against incumbent Karen Bass following this week's midterm elections. With 51.1% of the vote compared to Bass's 49%, Raman holds an advantage of roughly 16,500 votes, though approximately 37% of ballots remain uncounted. Local analysts suggest that many uncounted votes originate from younger and progressive demographics likely to favor Raman.
Born in India and raised in the United States, Raman earned degrees from Harvard and MIT, specializing in urban planning and homelessness advocacy before entering municipal politics. In 2020, she secured a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. Her campaign challenges the established municipal leadership, focusing heavily on local crises such as housing shortages, rent protection, and homelessness, contrasting with Bass, who enjoys strong backing from the Democratic establishment and major labor unions.
Beyond domestic policy, Raman's campaign has drawn intense scrutiny due to her outspoken positions on Israel and the war in Gaza. During a May interview, she stated that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and characterized the nation as an apartheid state, while simultaneously affirming Israel's right to exist. These remarks sparked sharp criticism from the local Jewish community. Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, stated that accusing Israel of genocide deeply hurts many community members. In response, Raman pledged to protect Jewish residents and combat antisemitism if elected.
Following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Raman criticized a statement issued by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for lacking empathy toward Israeli victims. Concurrently, her complex stance on Israel has created friction with the radical left. The national leadership of the DSA previously considered withdrawing its endorsement over her interactions with a liberal Zionist group, prompting Raman to clarify her position on the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. She stated that non-violent protest, legislation, and diplomatic pressure represent valid tools for solidarity with Gaza, though her campaign indicated she would not incorporate a boycott into her official municipal platform.
