DSA-backed Nithya Raman ousts Karen Bass to become next Los Angeles mayor

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass on Thursday, becoming the first challenger to unseat a sitting L.A. mayor in more than two decades, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Bass called Raman to concede after the latest tally showed Raman with about 52% to Bass's 48%, with roughly three-quarters of expected ballots counted and Raman ahead by nearly 35,000 votes. The Associated Press projected Raman the winner Thursday; her term begins Dec. 8.

Raman, 45, ran with Democratic Socialists of America backing — the same left network that backed New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani — after entering late against a onetime ally. Bass, 73, the city's first Black woman mayor, said voters had spoken and pledged a smooth transition. None of Raman's City Council colleagues endorsed her bid.