The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has endorsed Councilmember Nithya Raman for mayor. This endorsement provides her campaign with a boost of support as she challenges incumbent Karen Bass in the upcoming election on November 3.
The endorsement came after Raman secured over 60% of the vote in an online election conducted among more than 6,000 DSA members in the Los Angeles area. Although the group revealed that over 1,400 votes were cast, they declined to disclose the exact percentage Raman achieved.
DSA is known for advocating for controversial positions like defunding the police and abolishing prisons. These stances have led to criticism from conservatives and put DSA at odds with the Democratic Party establishment. Yet, the group has achieved significant electoral victories nationwide in recent years, most prominently with Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York.
“The growth of DSA has shown a clear movement to the left nationally,” stated Sara Sadhwani, a politics professor at Pomona College. “A DSA endorsement will be shorthand for how to define Nithya Raman as a candidate both for the establishment in Los Angeles and Republicans nationally.”
Raman has been a DSA member since before her initial run for council in 2020. She is leading a slate of nine candidates endorsed by DSA-LA for local and federal races in the upcoming election.
Tal Levy, a member of DSA-LA’s electoral politics committee, acknowledged the mixed opinions on Raman’s endorsement. While she has sometimes been a less consistent vote on DSA issues, Levy emphasized, “There is near-unanimity that she is the better candidate in the race in the general election.”
Raman did not immediately comment. Previously, DSA’s Los Angeles chapter endorsed her in both of her council races, and she has successfully advanced key legislation during her tenure, like enhancing renter protections and reforming the city’s rent stabilization ordinance.
Nevertheless, Raman and DSA have experienced several public disagreements, casting doubt among some members on her suitability for mayor. Her approval of budgets that increased police funding and her modification of Measure ULA’s provisions drew criticism from within the group.
The biggest divide with DSA emerged after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. DSA issued a statement suggesting the attack “was not unprovoked,” which Raman condemned as lacking empathy for Israeli communities.
Further friction arose in early 2024 when Raman faced censure from DSA for accepting an endorsement from Democrats for Israel-Los Angeles.
Raman made history as the first DSA-backed official in Los Angeles to win office. Since then, DSA has endorsed additional successful council candidates: Hugo Soto-Martínez, Ysabel Jurado, and Eunisses Hernandez. However, all three of these council members have endorsed Karen Bass.
Alongside Raman, the DSA’s slate for the election includes Marissa Roy, running for city attorney, and Estuardo Mazariegos, contesting a council seat in South L.A.