Overview
- The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America announced its endorsement of Councilmember Nithya Raman after an internal online vote Wednesday in which she won more than 60 percent of about 1,400 cast ballots.
- DSA‑LA pledged to mobilize door‑knockers, canvassers and fundraisers for Raman and placed her atop a nine‑candidate slate for the Nov. 3 general election.
- The Bass campaign immediately criticized Raman’s record on homeless encampments and police budgets, using the endorsement to argue she is out of step on public safety.
- Labor support is split: Unite HERE Local 11 has endorsed Raman while most major unions, including the L.A. County Federation of Labor, remain aligned with Mayor Karen Bass.
- Raman’s DSA roots and prior clashes with the group — including a 2024 censure over an outside endorsement and votes that raised police spending and revised parts of the mansion tax — make this backing both a boost in ground organizing and a potential liability with moderate voters.