Councilmember Nithya Raman has defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the November general election to become the next mayor of Los Angeles, according to CBS News projections. Raman's victory marks a historic shift in city leadership, as the last time a sitting LA mayor was ousted by a challenger occurred in 2005 when Antonio Villaraigosa defeated James Hahn.
Raman's Path to Victory in Los Angeles
Raman released a video statement on Thursday afternoon expressing deep gratitude for her supporters. "Thank you to the thousands of people who knocked on doors, sent texts, made phone calls, convinced their neighbors to believe in the promise of this big, beautiful, joyful city that we get to call home," Nithya Raman said in the video. She also addressed voters who backed Bass or sat out the election, promising to work every single day at City Hall to earn their trust.
During her campaign, Raman paid tribute to Karen Bass, highlighting her decades of public service and acknowledging her role as the first woman mayor of LA. Raman's political journey included launching a surprise bid for mayor in February after initially endorsing Bass' reelection bid. In the June primary, Raman pushed past Spencer Pratt to become a frontrunner alongside Bass. A survey released shortly before the election by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times showed Bass and Raman tied with 40% support among likely voters.
Karen Bass Concedes and Reflects on Career
Karen Bass released a concession statement on Thursday morning, confirming she called Raman to offer congratulations. "While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken," Bass wrote. Bass thanked her campaign supporters and pledged to ensure a smooth transition of power.
Key details of the mayoral transition and background include:
- Nithya Raman entered office on the Los Angeles City Council in 2020 after previously serving as co-chair of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Homelessness Committee and co-founding a homeless advocacy nonprofit.
- In 2025, Raman introduced a motion that successfully passed 13-2, capping maximum annual rent increases for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments built before 1978.
- Karen Bass served more than two decades in public office as a congresswoman and as LA's 43rd Mayor, stating that this race will be her final campaign for office.
- Before her time in Congress and the California Assembly—where she was the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of a state legislative body—Bass worked as a nurse and physician assistant and founded the Community Coalition in South LA.
- Prior to the general election, Bass received endorsements from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former mayoral rival Rick Caruso.
Reactions from City and County Leaders
Following the concession, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell congratulated Raman and thanked Bass, stating his continued commitment to professional, constitutional, and compassionate policing. LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger also offered congratulations, emphasizing the need to work together on critical regional issues.
"Whether it's homelessness, public safety, housing affordability, or preparing for the Olympics, we need to work together," Kathryn Barger wrote in a statement. Meanwhile, Raman takes the helm following a national wave of Democratic victories on Election Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Los Angeles mayoral election?
Councilmember Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the November general election, according to CBS News projections.
When was the last time an incumbent LA mayor lost an election?
The last time a challenger ousted a sitting LA mayor was in 2005, when Antonio Villaraigosa defeated James Hahn.
What background do Nithya Raman and Karen Bass share in public service?
Nithya Raman has served on the Los Angeles City Council since 2020, while Karen Bass spent over two decades in public office, including serving in the House of Representatives and as LA's 43rd Mayor.