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Politics Los Angeles

Kerala-born Raman ousts Bass as democratic socialists sweep US city halls

Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass on 3 November to become Los Angeles mayor. Her victory makes the two largest US cities led by South Asian democratic socialists.

By Published 2 min read
Illustration of cheering supporters and volunteers gathered at night outside a city hall entrance, lit in amber and teal.
Illustration: AI-generated

The short version

  • Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election on 3 November 2026.
  • Raman will be the first Asian American to lead Los Angeles, according to Time.
  • Bass is the first Los Angeles mayor in two decades to lose a reelection bid.
  • Democratic socialists also won mayoral races in Washington, Seattle and Providence.
  • Raman joins New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, meaning the two largest US cities have mayors of South Asian descent.

Why it matters: Her victory makes the two largest US cities led by South Asian democratic socialists, signaling a broader political shift ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

On this page
  1. The short version
  2. A late entry that changed the race
  3. From Kerala to City Hall
  4. A wave of democratic socialist victories
  5. Homelessness and the 2028 deadline
  6. Reactions from India and Washington
  7. Sources and further reading
  8. Frequently asked questions

Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass on 3 November to become Los Angeles mayor.

A late entry that changed the race

  • 52.1%Raman vote share
  • 47.9%Bass vote share

Source: Time, with 76% of votes counted

While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken.

Karen Bassoutgoing Los Angeles mayor

I have committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition. Moving this city forward is what Los Angeles needs from all of us.

Karen Bassoutgoing Los Angeles mayor

From Kerala to City Hall

A wave of democratic socialist victories

Los Angeles

Nithya Raman

  • Democratic Socialists of America member
  • First Asian American mayor of the city
  • Pledged to halve encampment populations by 2028

New York

Zohran Mamdani

  • Democratic socialist
  • Took office in January 2026
  • Mayor of the largest US city

Homelessness and the 2028 deadline

  1. Hours before deadlineLate entry

    Raman entered the race after initially endorsing Bass.

  2. 2 JunePrimary

    Raman and Bass advanced over Spencer Pratt.

  3. 3 NovemberElection

    Raman defeated Bass to become mayor.

  4. 2028Olympics

    Los Angeles hosts the Summer Games, testing city infrastructure.

For too long our broken and unjust status quo has convinced Angelenos that this is the best that we can do.

Nithya RamanLos Angeles mayor-elect

The idea that Angelenos voted for an immigrant to be their next mayor at this moment in American history is so deeply moving to me.

Nithya RamanLos Angeles mayor-elect

Reactions from India and Washington

May Nithya achieve everything she wishes for. We are all proud of her.

Vidhya SankarRaman's first cousin

There'll be a point at which if people are unhappy, they'll be changed.

Donald TrumpUS President

What we know

  • The Associated Press called the race for Raman on Thursday afternoon.
  • Bass conceded defeat on Thursday and called Raman to congratulate her.
  • Raman celebrated her victory at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles.

Still unclear

  • The final certified vote count and turnout in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
  • The exact date Raman takes office next month.
  • Whether Raman's pledged halving of people sleeping in tents and encampments by 2028 will be achieved.

Sources and further reading

  1. ‘We are all proud of her’: Thiruvananthapuram kin cheer Indian-origin Nithya Raman's historic win as Los Angeles mayor (opens in a new tab) Hindustan Times
  2. Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in upset (opens in a new tab) Pbs
  3. Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass to win Los Angeles mayoral race – video (opens in a new tab) The Guardian
  4. Raman ousts Bass in LA mayor race for historic socialist win (opens in a new tab) Axios
  5. Democratic Socialist Mayors Will Now Run LA, New York, and D.C. After Nithya Raman’s Win (opens in a new tab) Time
  6. Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in the L.A. mayor’s race (opens in a new tab) NBC News

This article was prepared by the GlobePrism editorial team from the public reporting linked above. How we report

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Los Angeles mayoral election?

Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the election held on 3 November 2026. The Associated Press called the race for Raman on Thursday afternoon.

Is Nithya Raman the first Asian American mayor of Los Angeles?

Time reported that Raman will be the first Asian American to lead the city. Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said she would be the first South Asian American to hold the post.

What happened to Karen Bass?

Bass conceded defeat on Thursday and said she called Raman to congratulate her. She is the first Los Angeles mayor in two decades to lose a reelection bid.

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