Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Nov 5: Indian-origin city councilwoman Nithya Raman has taken a narrow lead over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the closely watched Los Angeles mayoral election, as vote counting continues in the race to lead the second most populous city in the United States.

According to the latest available figures from the Los Angeles County election count early Wednesday, Raman, 45, had secured 377,458 votes, representing approximately 51.12 per cent, while Bass had received 360,864 votes, or 48.88 per cent. Raman's lead stood at around 16,600 votes, although the results remained preliminary and a substantial number of ballots were yet to be counted.

Bass initially held a slight advantage when the first results were announced after polling closed on Tuesday. However, Raman steadily gained ground with successive updates and eventually moved ahead. The Associated Press reported that roughly one-third of the ballots remained uncounted at the time of its report, making the outcome uncertain.

Bass, 73, remained confident of securing another four-year term. Addressing cheering supporters on election night, she declared, "We will achieve victory. I love Los Angeles." Acknowledging that more votes needed to be counted, she led the crowd in chants of "Four more years" and added, "When we fight, we win."

Raman, meanwhile, expressed hope and urged supporters to celebrate the campaign's message of change. "This election is about change too," she said, adding that hopelessness could be fatal for a city but that her campaign had refused to accept it.

The contest has centred on criticism of the city's handling of homelessness, public safety, the aftermath of the devastating Palisades Fire, the loss of Hollywood jobs to cheaper production destinations and deteriorating civic services.

Bass has defended her record, arguing that her administration has made progress in addressing homelessness and improving city services. She has maintained that her experience makes her better equipped to lead Los Angeles through its challenges, particularly as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games. She has also questioned whether Raman, who has served on the City Council for six years, has sufficient experience to become mayor.

Raman, an urban planner, has accused the incumbent administration of failing to deliver results despite substantial public spending. During a televised debate, she said homelessness continued to rise despite hundreds of millions of dollars being spent, while businesses were shutting down. She also described Bass as "missing in action".

The Palisades Fire, which devastated parts of Los Angeles in January 2025, has emerged as a major issue in the campaign. Bass was outside the country when the fire broke out, and her administration faced criticism over preparedness and the city's response despite warnings of dangerous winds and extremely dry conditions.

Bass has also highlighted efforts to clear homeless encampments and move thousands of people into shelters. However, critics have questioned the sustainability of the programme, with available data indicating that nearly half of those placed in the system subsequently dropped out and may have returned to the streets.

Raman has promised to reduce the number of people living in tents and encampments by at least 50 per cent by 2028. Her proposals include expanding healthcare services for homeless people, increasing access to permanent housing and reducing dependence on hotels rented by the city as temporary accommodation.

Public safety has emerged as another major point of disagreement. Bass supports hiring additional police officers, while Raman has called for a change in police leadership. Bass has argued that replacing the police chief ahead of the 2028 Olympics would be risky.

Raman had supported the 'Defund the Police' movement in 2020 and advocated a substantially smaller police department. She also opposed Bass's 2023 police contract, arguing that it was too expensive for the financially strained city. More recently, however, Raman has said that the police department should remain at its current strength.

The two candidates have also received different levels of political backing. Bass has been endorsed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, former vice-president Kamala Harris, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several members of the Los Angeles City Council.

Raman has received support from progressive organisations and advocacy groups, including Our Revolution, founded by Senator Bernie Sanders, and the Sierra Club. Despite her growing support among progressive voters, she has received fewer endorsements from prominent local political leaders.

A Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and Los Angeles Times poll conducted between October 19 and 25 found that around four in 10 likely voters considered reducing homeless encampments a top priority for the next mayor. Approximately three in 10 identified public safety and affordable housing as major concerns.

The election is being closely watched nationally because a Raman victory would add to the electoral successes of candidates associated with the democratic socialist movement, following Zohran Mamdani's election as New York City mayor last year.

With thousands of ballots still awaiting counting, the final outcome could take several more days to emerge. The result will determine who leads Los Angeles through its preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games and addresses the city's major housing, public safety and economic challenges.