LOS ANGELES, CA – City Councilmember Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the Nov. 3 runoff for mayor of Los Angeles, according to results posted by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
In the county’s update dated Nov. 8, Raman had 599,833 votes, or 54.66%, and Bass had 497,586 votes, or 45.34%, according to the county’s election results page. The page lists 5,908,408 registrations and 2,853 precincts, with countywide turnout of 3,119,732 votes, or 52.80%. It notes that its results are “representative of Los Angeles County only.”
Bass conceded Thursday, Nov. 5. Raman is set to take office on Dec. 14, the second Monday of December, and would be the first South Asian mayor of Los Angeles. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Raman’s path to the runoff began with a campaign that, by the account of her own manager, started with almost nothing. It ended with the defeat of a sitting mayor who had the backing of most of the city’s established political figures.
Bass concedes and promises a transition
Bass conceded just before midday Thursday in a written statement. “While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken,” she said.
Bass also wrote that she had called Raman to congratulate her. She said she had committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.
Raman’s election-night message
Raman spoke Tuesday night at the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. “Today all across America, voters demanded change,” she said.
In a later statement she said, “Los Angeles, I’m deeply honored to be your next mayor.” She thanked Bass for her service and promised a city government “actually capable of delivering on its promises.”
Bass led after the early returns on election night, and Raman overtook her as later ballots were counted. According to initial reports, Raman had 429,450 votes, or 52.1%, to Bass’s 394,796, or 47.9%, on Thursday morning, a lead of 34,654 votes. More than 700,000 ballots countywide were still uncounted at that point.
Raman’s share stood at 54.66% in the county’s Nov. 8 update, up from 52.1% in that Thursday count.
A campaign that began at the filing deadline
Raman entered the race on Feb. 7, the filing deadline. The City Clerk’s Election Division publishes election dates, filing rules and candidate requirements for the 2026 municipal elections on its candidate information page. The clerk also published a list of certified candidates for the 2026 General Municipal Election.
The first volunteers gathered in the back house at Raman’s Silver Lake home. They had little besides a whiteboard counting down the days to the June 2 primary.
The campaign had no office, bank account, campaign treasurer or proper website, according to campaign manager Ian Manheimer. He said it lacked “the most basic things.” He joined after a 10 p.m. call from Raman the night before the filing deadline.
Raman’s parents and her husband’s parents took turns cooking vegetarian Indian lunches for the small staff. Manheimer said anyone who suspected Raman had long planned a mayoral run could simply visit the accessory dwelling unit to dispel that notion.
Raman had endorsed Bass weeks before she filed to run against her.
From the June 2 primary to the runoff
The nonpartisan primary was held June 2, and Bass and Raman advanced to the runoff. According to initial reports, Bass finished the primary count with 292,593 votes, or 34.3%. Raman had 247,781, or 29.0%, and Spencer Pratt had 217,977, or 25.5%.
Raman overtook Pratt for second place as ballots were counted over the following week.
Bass went into the runoff with endorsements from 13 of the 14 other City Council members. None of Raman’s council colleagues endorsed her.
Raman built her campaign on turning out and expanding her base of younger renters.
Priorities and promises
Raman has named four priorities: homelessness, housing costs, public safety and economic development. She has promised to cut homelessness in half by the 2028 Olympics. She has also promised to give the city 60 days to approve new apartment projects.
Those are campaign pledges rather than adopted policy, and any change to the city’s approval process would have to move through the formal process of city government.
Public officials react
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Thursday that “as long as they are committed to public safety, they will find a partner in Nathan Hochman.” He stressed the need for an effective Los Angeles Police Department ahead of the Olympics and the Super Bowl.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who backed Bass, said, “Anyone who is willing to work I’ll work with.”
Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky said she believes she and Raman agree on “a sustainable budget and making sure we’re not spending more than we can afford.” She added, “Disagreement is inevitable, but dysfunction is a choice.”
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez congratulated Raman and cited their joint work on progressive policy. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said, “Mayor-elect Raman will have a committed partner in me.”
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez said he expects a seamless transition focused on affordability and tenant protections.
Raman outlines a 40-day transition
Raman held a news conference Thursday evening at the Original Farmers Market in the Fairfax district. “I am going to work so hard…to earn your trust, and make people believe in Los Angeles again,” she said.
She said she was assembling a transition team. “We have 40 days to build this transition,” she said.
Raman said her first call after Bass conceded was to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, about continuity in public safety.
Council District 4 seat will become vacant
Raman’s move to the mayor’s office will leave her Council District 4 seat vacant. Under the City Charter, the council may fill the vacancy by appointment or call a special election.
Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s office, through senior adviser Martin Schlageter, said it looks forward to working with Raman. Schlageter said the office will discuss with her an appointment that best serves residents of the Fourth District.
The council had not announced an appointment or a special election in the information available Monday.
Certification is set for Nov. 27
The county is still finishing its count. Under the canvass update schedule, results updates posted at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Nov. 4 through 6. They are posted daily between 4 and 5 p.m. from Nov. 7.
The county is tentatively scheduled to certify the results on Nov. 27. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to declare the election concluded on Dec. 1, and Raman is set to be sworn in as mayor on Dec. 14.
