Nithya Raman, a 45-year-old Los Angeles city councilmember, defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in Tuesday’s election to become the first South Asian mayor in the city’s history, the Associated Press projected on Thursday, November 5. Bass conceded the race on Thursday and called Raman to congratulate her, closing one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterms.
With counting still under way, the latest figures from Los Angeles County gave Raman 460,772 votes, or 52.70 percent, against 413,519 votes, or 47.30 percent, for Bass. The results remain unofficial until the county certifies the election on November 27.
A Historic First for Los Angeles
Raman will become the first South Asian and first Asian-American mayor of Los Angeles, and only the second woman to hold the city’s highest office. She is also the first incumbent mayor of Los Angeles to lose a re-election bid since 2005.
Bass, 73, made history herself when she was elected in 2022 as the city’s first Black woman mayor, defeating billionaire developer Rick Caruso. She entered this race with the backing of California’s Democratic establishment, including Governor Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Raman, by contrast, ran as a democratic socialist and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, the first DSA-affiliated member ever elected to the Los Angeles City Council. Born in Kerala, India, she trained as an urban planner, earning a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before winning her District 4 council seat.
How the Vote Counted Up
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nithya Raman | 460,772 | 52.70% |
| Karen Bass (incumbent) | 413,519 | 47.30% |
The figures, updated at 4:34 p.m. local time on Thursday, gave Raman a lead of 47,253 votes. The race was extremely close on Election Day itself, and Raman did not declare victory on Tuesday night because California’s slow ballot count had not yet produced a clear result.
What Raman Promised on the Campaign Trail
Raman entered the mayoral race only hours before the nomination deadline, challenging an incumbent from her own party in a contest that split Los Angeles Democrats. Her campaign centred on homelessness and affordable housing, two issues that have dominated debate at City Hall for years.
Her win also carries a practical deadline: Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2028 Olympics, and the next mayor will oversee much of that preparation. Raman takes office on December 14, giving her just over a month to assemble an administration before the new year.
Part of a Wider Midterm Story
Raman’s victory came in the middle of the Democrats’ midterm sweep, in which the party won control of the House and Senate after a campaign fought largely over affordability. Turnout was strong nationwide, with record early voting reported before Election Day.
She joins a growing group of democratic socialist mayors in major American cities, alongside Zohran Mamdani of New York and Katie Wilson of Seattle, both elected last year, and Janeese Lewis George, who was elected mayor of Washington, D.C., on November 3. The Associated Press called the Los Angeles race for Raman once her lead held through Thursday’s count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election?
Nithya Raman, a city councilmember for District 4, defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The Associated Press called the race for Raman on Thursday, November 5, and Bass conceded the same day.
When does Nithya Raman take office as Los Angeles mayor?
Her term begins on December 14, 2026. Los Angeles County is scheduled to certify the election results on November 27.
Why is Nithya Raman’s win historic?
She will be the first South Asian and first Asian-American mayor of Los Angeles, and only the second woman to lead the city. She is also the first incumbent Los Angeles mayor to lose re-election since 2005.
What did Nithya Raman campaign on?
Her campaign centred on homelessness and affordable housing. She is a trained urban planner with degrees from Harvard and MIT, and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
