Nithya Raman Holds Narrow Lead in Los Angeles Mayoral Race
City Councilmember Nithya Raman holds a slim lead over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass as Los Angeles continues counting mail-in ballots.
The Los Angeles mayoral election remains too close to call following the November 3, 2026, vote. As of Wednesday morning, challenger and City Councilmember Nithya Raman holds a narrow lead over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Reports on the vote share vary slightly, with one source placing Raman at 51.1% to Bass's 48.9% and another at 51% to 49% with approximately 63% of votes counted.
Bass campaigned on her record regarding public safety, homelessness, and fast-tracked housing construction. She faced criticism for her absence during the January 2025 Palisades Fire while visiting Ghana, for which she apologized. Raman ran on a platform to fix a "broken city," criticizing Bass for budget-breaking contracts and police salary agreements. While early exit polls suggested a narrow lead for Bass, Raman drew stronger support from younger voters and the Democratic Socialists of America.
On election night, Bass expressed confidence in her victory at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, though she did not officially declare herself the winner. Final results are delayed as the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office processes mail-in ballots. In a separate vote, Los Angeles voters leaned toward approving Measure FD, a half-cent sales tax increase to fund the Los Angeles Fire Department, with early results showing 54% support.
