Progressive Challenger Nithya Raman Edges Ahead in Los Angeles Mayoral Race

Nithya Raman, a 45-year-old city council member, is currently leading incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election, according to preliminary results released this week. Raman has secured 51.1% of the vote compared to Bass's 49%, a difference of approximately 16,500 votes, with about 37% of ballots yet to be counted. A Los Angeles Times report suggests a significant portion of the remaining votes may belong to young, progressive voters who tend to support Raman.

Raman, who immigrated to the U.S. from India as a child and studied at Harvard and MIT, worked in urban planning and with the homeless population before entering politics. Elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020, she announced her candidacy against Bass in February, despite having previously expressed support for Bass's re-election.

Her stances on Israel and the Gaza war have become a central point of contention, alongside local issues like the housing crisis, public safety, and homelessness. In a May interview with anti-Israel influencer Hassan Beykr, Raman responded affirmatively when asked if she believed Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, also describing Israel as an "apartheid state." She did, however, acknowledge Israel's right to exist. These statements drew criticism from figures within the Los Angeles Jewish community. Rabbi Noah Farkas, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, stated that accusing Israel of genocide is a grave offense to the institution and parts of the Jewish community. Raman responded by acknowledging the sensitivity and pain these issues cause, pledging to protect Jewish residents and combat antisemitism if elected.

Following the October 7th Hamas attack, Raman criticized a statement from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) as lacking empathy for Israelis. The DSA later criticized Raman for her stance and for accepting support from the liberal Zionist organization Democrats for Israel Los Angeles. In a May interview, Raman stated she would not seek support from the pro-Israel organization today. Conversely, her positions on Israel have also caused friction with the radical left. In October, the DSA's national leadership considered withdrawing support for Raman's candidacy, citing her insufficient endorsement of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Raman stated in a letter to the DSA that peaceful protest, legislative action, and diplomatic pressure, including boycotts, are the best ways to show solidarity with Gazans. However, her campaign has not clarified her personal support for BDS, and she has affirmed it would not be part of her platform. Raman has previously described boycotting Israel as a "legitimate form of peaceful, non-violent protest."

Locally, Raman's campaign focuses on addressing the housing crisis, expanding construction, protecting tenants, and tackling homelessness. She presents herself as an alternative to the established city leadership, while 73-year-old Karen Bass has the backing of prominent Democratic figures and labor unions. If Raman wins, she would lead a city with a significant Jewish and Israeli population, at a time when stances on Israel and the Gaza war have become a prominent feature of local political discourse.