Progressive Nithya Raman Nears Victory in Los Angeles Mayoral Race

Nithya Raman, a progressive Democrat and current Los Angeles City Council member, is on the verge of winning the city's mayoral election, potentially unseating incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Early results show Raman leading Bass by approximately 16,500 votes, with about 37% of ballots yet to be counted. Experts predict Raman's chances of victory are high, as many remaining votes are expected to come from younger, progressive voters who tend to support her.

Raman, 45, who immigrated to the U.S. as a child and has a background in urban planning and homelessness advocacy, entered politics in 2020. Her mayoral campaign has been marked by controversy over her strong criticisms of Israel and the war in Gaza. In a May interview, Raman agreed with the assertion that Israel committed genocide in Gaza and described Israel as an "apartheid state," while also acknowledging Israel's right to exist. These statements drew sharp criticism from Jewish community leaders in Los Angeles, including Rabbi Noah Farkas, who stated that accusing Israel of genocide was deeply hurtful.

Raman responded to the criticism by expressing understanding of the pain caused and pledging to protect Jewish residents and combat antisemitism if elected. She also distanced herself from certain political groups. Following Hamas's October 7th attack, Raman criticized the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for an "unempathetic" statement towards Israeli communities. The DSA, in turn, later reprimanded her, partly for this criticism and for receiving support from a liberal Zionist group, Democrats for Israel Los Angeles. Raman stated she would not seek support from that pro-Israel organization today.

Further complicating her political stance, Raman faced pressure from the radical left regarding her position on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The DSA considered withdrawing support, citing insufficient backing for BDS. Raman stated that non-violent protest, legislation, and diplomatic pressure, including BDS, are the best ways to show solidarity with Gazans, though her campaign avoided clarifying her personal support for the movement. She has previously called BDS a "legitimate form of non-violent protest."

Locally, Raman's platform focuses on the housing crisis, expanding construction, protecting renters, and addressing homelessness. She presents herself as an alternative to the city's establishment, while the 73-year-old Bass has the backing of key Democratic figures and labor unions. If Raman wins, she will lead a city with a significant Israeli and Jewish population, where debates about Israel have become a notable part of local politics.