City Councilmember Nithya Raman defeated Mayor Karen Bass to become the 44th mayor of Los Angeles, a win for the “yes in my backyard” groups that backed her challenge to the incumbent.
The Associated Press called the race Thursday. Raman, an urban planner and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, led by 4.2 percentage points, 52.1% to 47.9%, with roughly 76% of the expected vote counted.
She is the second DSA member to lead a major U.S. city. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani won a year ago on an affordability platform that made more housing a focal point. Bass conceded and promised a “smooth and seamless transition.” She is the first Los Angeles mayor in two decades to lose a reelection bid.
Raman won despite long odds. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, retiring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and nearly every City Council member backed Bass.
YIMBY Action, YIMBY Los Angeles and California YIMBY were among the housing groups behind Raman. Unions, progressive Democratic organizations, environmental groups and County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath also endorsed her.
Housing at the center
Housing and homelessness drove the campaign. Raman pitched expanded medical teams for people in encampments and moving residents out of city-rented hotels into permanent housing. She said she could cut encampments by at least half by 2028.
YIMBY groups cast the race as a test of how fast the city builds. The movement pushes to ease zoning limits and speed approvals to expand supply.
“Her win in California’s largest city is a big moment for the pro-housing movement,” California YIMBY posted on social media.
One early test is how Los Angeles complies with Senate Bill 79, the state law that encourages more housing near transit. City ordinances that took effect June 30 hold off full compliance citywide until 2030.
YIMBY advocates will likely press the new mayor and council to move that date up. Raman favored a quicker housing timeline.
Mayor-elect Raman could inherit a $20 million-plus liability if the city doesn’t approve Woodland Hills Country Club’s 398-home plan. The club’s attorney, Dave Rand, a Raman supporter, set a 60-day deadline, and the state housing department wants a response by Nov. 25.
A divided City Hall
Raman will need the council to do that. Most members backed Bass, so Raman must build a majority from a body that largely opposed her.
She will have allies elsewhere at City Hall. Controller Kenneth Mejia and newly elected City Attorney Marissa Roy, a DSA member, join her in what The Hollywood Reporter called a “triumvirate of progressivism” at the top of city government.
