Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman edged ahead of incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in a closely contested mayoral race, as vote counting continued Wednesday in the nation’s second-largest city.
The early results showed a tight contest between Bass, who is seeking a second term, and Raman, a fellow Democrat backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Approximately one-third of the ballots remained uncounted in the early Wednesday tally, according to The Associated Press. The outcome is yet to be determined.
Bass initially held a narrow advantage after polls closed Tuesday, but Raman gradually gained ground through subsequent ballot-counting updates and moved ahead by early Wednesday.
READ: Nithya Raman overtakes Spencer Pratt for second place in LA mayoral race (June 8, 2026)
The contest has drawn national attention because a Raman victory would add Los Angeles to a growing list of major American cities with mayors backed by democratic socialist movements. New York City elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor in 2025.
Homelessness, public safety dominate campaign
The mayoral contest largely revolved around homelessness, public safety, housing and criticism of the city’s administration.
Bass, 73, defended her record since taking office in 2022, highlighting efforts to reduce violent crime, clear homeless encampments and expand shelter access. She also argued that Raman lacked the experience required to lead a city of approximately 3.8 million people.
However, Bass continued to face criticism over the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire, which became the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history. Her absence from the country when the fire broke out became a major issue during the campaign.
Raman, 45, an urban planner who was first elected to the city council in 2020, campaigned on changing the city’s approach to homelessness, policing and public services.
She pledged to reduce the number of people living in tents and encampments by at least 50% by 2028, expand street-based medical teams and increase housing options for homeless residents.
On policing, Raman said she wanted to replace Police Chief Jim McDonnell, arguing that the department’s response to federal immigration enforcement operations and protests required a change in leadership. She has also moderated some of her earlier positions on policing, saying the department should remain at its current size.
Divisions among Democrats
The race also exposed divisions within the Democratic Party between established political leaders and progressive groups seeking changes in city governance.
Bass received endorsements from prominent Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Raman, meanwhile, secured backing from progressive organizations, including Our Revolution, founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, and the Sierra Club.
The candidates also attracted different voter constituencies, with Bass appealing to established political networks and Raman seeking support among younger voters and progressive activists, according to AP and the Los Angeles Times.
Read: Indian American urban planner Nithya Raman unseats LA City Councillor (November 9, 2020)
The contest could have implications beyond local politics. Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, placing the next mayor at the center of major infrastructure, public safety and transportation preparations.
Both candidates addressed their supporters on election night, but the counting of outstanding ballots meant the final result could take several days or longer to determine.