Los Angeles mayor: Nithya Raman ousts Karen Bass

Democratic socialist Nithya Raman is set to become Los Angeles's next mayor after incumbent Democrat Karen Bass conceded on Thursday.

Bass called Raman to concede after the latest count showed Raman with 52 percent of the vote to Bass's 48 percent, with three-quarters of votes counted.

"I'm deeply honored to be your next mayor," Raman, 45, said in a social media statement. "I love this city. I believe in its people. The work ahead will be hard, and change will take time."

Raman campaigned on what she called "pothole politics," pointing to broken streetlights and damaged sidewalks as signs of failed city leadership, while also drawing support from younger voters angry about affordability.

Her win adds to victories for candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. Raman was the first DSA-affiliated Los Angeles city council member and will now lead the city as it prepares to host the 2028 Olympics.

Bass, 73, was elected in 2022 as the first Black woman mayor in Los Angeles history. She said the people of Los Angeles had spoken and that she had committed to ensuring a smooth transition.