Politics · United States · 37 mins ago
Karen Bass narrowly leads Nithya Raman in Los Angeles mayoral race
Mayor Karen Bass held a narrow lead over Nithya Raman in the Los Angeles mayoral race as election-night votes were counted.
One update put Bass ahead by nearly 10,000 votes, with 49% of the expected vote reported.
Raman, a city councilmember and former ally of Bass, entered the race in February and mounted a late challenge.
The candidates disagreed over housing, public safety and homelessness, key concerns for the city.
Bass faced criticism over her record, while Raman argued that the mayor’s approach to homelessness was costly and ineffective.
More late-arriving ballots are expected to favor Raman, whose base includes younger voters.
The outcome remains uncertain as those ballots are counted in the coming days.
Karen Bass narrowly led Nithya Raman in early returns in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
ABC7 reported Bass had 51% of the vote and Raman 49%, with 49% of the expected vote counted.
The Los Angeles Times said Raman could gain ground from late-arriving ballots, which tend to be cast by younger voters.
Bass highlighted her administration’s work on homelessness, neighborhood safety and jobs, while Raman criticized her record and called for change.
Raman entered the race in February after previously endorsing Bass, turning the contest between former allies into a challenge for leadership of Los Angeles.
- Who
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
- What
- They are competing to lead Los Angeles. Early returns showed Bass narrowly ahead.
- When
- Election night in 2026. The exact election date is not stated.
- Where
- Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- They are seeking to lead the city and have differing positions on public safety, housing and homelessness.
Karen Bass
Nithya Raman
Homelessness
Karen Bass
Bass said her administration had brought homeless people off the streets and reported an 11% reduction in unsheltered homelessness.
Nithya Raman
Raman said Bass’s approach to homelessness was costly and ineffective.
City leadership
Karen Bass
Bass highlighted her administration’s work on safety, affordable housing and jobs.
Nithya Raman
Raman called for change at City Hall and criticized Bass’s record.
Support
Karen Bass
Bass was backed by much of the city’s political establishment, including the county’s Democratic Party and labor federation.
Nithya Raman
Raman aligned with groups including the Democratic Socialists of America and Streets For All.
Raman entered the mayoral race after publicly endorsing Bass a few weeks earlier.
Bass received 34% of the vote in the primary.
Early returns showed Bass narrowly ahead of Raman in the mayoral race.
ABC7 reported Bass at 51% and Raman at 49%, with 49% of the expected vote reporting.
- Bass vote share
- 51%, with 292,876 votes in ABC7’s reported count
- Raman vote share
- 49%, with 282,935 votes in ABC7’s reported count
- Expected vote counted
- 49% in ABC7’s reported count
- Raman joined race
- February
- Bass primary result
- 34% on June 2
5 sources
Nithya Raman & Karen Bass In Dead Heat As L.A. Mayor Vote Counting Continues In Nailbiter Election
Where the Los Angeles Mayor’s Race Stands
Live election results: Bass holds lead over Raman in LA mayoral race
Mayor Karen Bass narrowly leads City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the L.A. mayor's race
2026 Election Results: Los Angeles mayor, local races
What people are saying
I love Los Angeles, I believe in the city, and I will always fight for the city that we deserve,
This is probably better numbers than the Raman campaign could have expected,
represents the change that I think a lot of people in the city are really yearning for.