Nithya Raman Wins Los Angeles Mayoral Race

GRAND RAPIDS, MI. - Challenger Nithya Raman is projected to win the Los Angeles mayoral race defeating incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after an excruciating wait as election officials processed ballots.

The Los Angeles city councilwoman opened a two-percentage-point lead over incumbent Karen Bass on Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026, prompting supporters to celebrate a new chapter in city leadership. Nearly 1.9 million ballots were cast in the heated election, which focused heavily on homelessness and public safety, while the Los Angeles Police Department union warned of an impending Armageddon in the city as Raman widened her lead.

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, following a nonpartisan top-two primary held on June 2, 2026, where Karen Bass and Nithya Raman advanced to the general election. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass announced her re-election bid in July 2024, setting up the contest against Nithya Raman, an urban planner, activist, and Democratic Socialist serving as the Los Angeles city councilmember for the 4th district since 2020.

County officials continued counting remaining ballots as media outlets projected the outcome. The Republican Party reacted to the results alongside local stakeholders, while the city awaited final certified tallies to conclude the midterm election cycle.