Who is Nithya Raman, the democratic socialist who will be Los Angeles’s next mayor?

1What happened

India-born democratic socialist Nithya Raman ousted incumbent Democrat Karen Bass to become the next mayor of Los Angeles, ending a heated race that saw the one-time allies spar over frustration with the status quo. South China Morning Post ↗

2What’s next

She caused a stir when she entered the race earlier this year hours before the filing deadline – and shortly after endorsing Bass for re-election – and her campaign was once viewed as a long shot. The Guardian ↗

3Also reported

Raman's win comes after resounding victories for Democrats across the country on Election Day. CBS News ↗

Sources

• Election 2026 live results: Karen Bass concedes LA mayoral race to Nithya Raman ↗ABC News
• Nithya Raman ousts incumbent Karen Bass in LA mayor's race, CBS News projects ↗CBS News
• Democratic socialist Nithya Raman wins Los Angeles mayoral race over incumbent Karen Bass ↗The Guardian
• India-born democratic socialist Nithya Raman becomes LA mayor, ousting Karen Bass ↗South China Morning Post
• Who is Nithya Raman, the democratic socialist who will be Los Angeles’s next mayor? ↗The Guardian
• Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in the L.A. mayor’s race ↗NBC News