Raman Edges Past Bass in Tight Los Angeles Mayoral Count

City Councilwoman Nithya Raman has taken a narrow lead over Mayor Karen Bass in the race for the top executive job in Los Angeles. The latest figures from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office show Raman with 338,740 votes, or 50.30%, while Bass trails with 334,762 votes, or 49.70%. Because ballot counting is expected to continue through the week and beyond, the outcome of the election may remain uncertain for several more days.

The campaign was defined by a tight finish and shifting polling data. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and released last week, found both candidates at 40% support among likely voters, with 19% undecided. This result followed a September survey by the same institute that had Raman leading by 11 percentage points, with 39% support compared to Bass’s 28%.

Bass had held a slight early lead on election night, but analysts suggested that demographic trends could shift the numbers. They noted that Raman’s base of younger voters tends to cast ballots closer to the deadline. Bass addressed supporters in Hollywood Tuesday night, citing her record on wildfire recovery, immigration enforcement opposition, and homelessness. She stated, “Four years ago, you gave me the honor of a lifetime to serve as the mayor of the city that raised me.”

Raman held her own election night party at Griffith Park, framing the contest as a choice between the status quo and change. She argued that voters were frustrated with broken systems. “They are angry about a broken status quo and the politicians who failed them over and over again,” Raman said. She also criticized the culture at City Hall, saying, “Our City Hall became a place where we became so used to saying 'no,' we forgot how to say 'yes.'”

The campaign intensified in recent weeks with attacks on Raman’s experience and public safety stance. Bass and independent political action committees focused on Raman’s call to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Tensions rose in early October when Raman’s campaign shared a video featuring her urging people to “stop fascist liars” while showing images of Bass and McDonnell. During a televised debate, Bass used that moment to question Raman’s grasp of the city’s history.

Raman later clarified her comments, referring to the LAPD’s Special Order 40, which limits immigration enforcement cooperation. She also apologized for previous remarks comparing the department under former Chief Daryl Gates to a “gold standard.” Gates oversaw the department during the 1991 beating of Rodney King, an incident that led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Raman has since positioned herself as the candidate to fix a broken city, criticizing Bass’s budget decisions, including a billion-dollar police contract and downtown convention center modernization.

Both candidates are seeking to secure the support of undecided voters in the final days. Raman, who advanced from a June primary where she overtook Spencer Pratt, draws more support from younger demographics and the Democratic Socialists of America. Bass relies on stronger backing from older residents and traditional Democratic voters. The two candidates continue to spar over homelessness, housing, and public safety as the final tallies are processed.