Democratic socialist Nithya Raman will defeat Karen Bass in LA mayor’s race, CNN projects | CNN Politics

Nithya Raman speaks at a campaign celebration with volunteers and supporters marking her advance into the general election on June 13, 2026 in North Hollywood, California. See all topics Email Link Copied!

Democratic socialist Nithya Raman will defeat incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayor’s race, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.

Raman, a city councilmember, overtook Republican Spencer Pratt in June’s nonpartisan primary to set up what was arguably a tougher race for Bass, a Democratic former congresswoman. With Raman’s victory, the nation’s two largest cities — New York and Los Angeles — will be led by democratic socialists next year.