Los Angeles appears ready to take another sharp turn to the far left after Democratic City Councilmember Nithya Raman, an open socialist, announced Saturday that she will challenge Mayor Karen Bass in the June mayoral election.
Raman, an Indian immigrant and longtime Bass ally, has served on the City Council since 2020 after defeating an incumbent with backing from the Democratic Socialists of America. Bass, a former congresswoman, has been mayor since 2022 and has faced heavy criticism for her handling of the 2025 riots targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for her response to the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfire earlier that year.
Raman officially entered the race just hours before the noon filing deadline.
In an interview published Saturday, she said she has “deep respect” for Bass, calling her an “icon,” and admitted they align on many issues. But she argued that without major changes, Los Angeles is headed for trouble.
“Unless we have some big changes in how we do things in Los Angeles, the things we count on are not going to function anymore,” Raman said. She also claimed the city is “at a breaking point” and that residents feel it “in the most basic ways.”
Neither Raman’s nor Bass’s office responded to requests for comment.
Raman currently chairs the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, a role that stands out as Los Angeles continues to suffer from a worsening homelessness crisis during Bass’s term. So naturally, the person overseeing the homelessness mess is now asking for a promotion.
The election will be held June 2. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will take place in November alongside the 2026 general elections. The top two vote-getters will advance, regardless of party.
With the filing deadline passed, the main candidates are Bass, Raman, and Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star who lost his home in the Palisades fire and is running as a Republican. In deep-blue Los Angeles, Pratt faces long odds — because Hollywood prefers socialists to homeowners.
Raman is not the only socialist in the race. Rae Huang, a pastor and DSA member, is also running, though with little name recognition. Former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner exited the race after the tragic death of his daughter. Billionaire businessman Rick Caruso, who lost to Bass in 2022, declined to run again.
Across the country, socialists have increasingly sought leadership of major cities, mostly as Democrats. Some have succeeded, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, while others, like Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh, have failed.
With Bass already struggling and now facing a challenger even further to the left, Los Angeles voters may soon be choosing between progressive and… more progressive. And if that sounds like a recipe for lower crime and fewer homeless encampments, well, history suggests otherwise.
Still, the race is set, and the choice will soon be in the hands of voters. One thing is certain: the direction of Los Angeles is about to become even clearer — for better or worse — and the outcome will shape the city’s future for years to come.
