Nithya Raman Triumphs in LA Mayoral Race, Signaling Rise of Democratic Socialism in US Politics

Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman has been declared the winner of the local mayoral race, securing nearly 53 percent of the vote against incumbent Karen Bass. The announcement was made on November 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Raman, 45, expressed her gratitude in a social media video, stating, “Los Angeles, I am deeply honoured to be your next mayor. I love this city. I believe in its people. The work ahead will be hard, and change will take time. And together, we are going to build a future as extraordinary as the city we call home.”

Raman's victory marks a significant moment, positioning her as the latest democratic socialist candidate to achieve success in a major election. Upon her inauguration in December, Los Angeles will join a growing number of cities led or soon to be led by democratic socialist mayors, including New York City, Seattle, Washington, Providence, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC. This trend is attributed to a widespread belief that the current political and economic systems disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Shawn Gude, author of "American Socialist: The Life and Legacy of Eugene V Debs," noted that the perception of a "rigged economy" is prevalent, and that the struggles of ordinary Americans for basic necessities have historically fueled such movements. Gude explained, “Democratic socialists have been effective at tapping into that anger and a desire for something better.”

The 2026 midterm elections highlighted the increasing influence of democratic socialism and its primary organizing body, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), in US politics. The DSA reported a quadrupled presence in Congress, aiming to establish a socialist bloc dedicated to prioritizing people over profits. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a DSA member, though not on the ballot, influenced other Democrats by championing cost-of-living and affordability issues. Three congressional candidates he endorsed—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—won their races. In Colorado, Ethiopian immigrant Melat Kiros, aged 29, also secured a congressional seat with DSA backing, unseating a Democratic incumbent. Los Angeles witnessed further democratic socialist successes in municipal races and a congressional victory in California's 34th District, where Angela Gonzales-Torres defeated incumbent Jimmy Gomez.

While critics point to funding advantages for establishment candidates, Leslie Chang, co-chair of the Los Angeles DSA, emphasized the organization's strategy of leveraging enthusiasm and robust ground operations. “DSA really leans heavily on our field operations. We bring people into our movement through face-to-face conversations at the doors,” Chang stated, aiming to compensate for funding disparities. Despite the relatively small number of democratic socialists in elected office, their recent victories signify a notable political shift. Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign was a pivotal moment in testing the national viability of democratic socialism, overcoming initial skepticism. A decade later, even moderate candidates have adopted rhetoric on corporate power and economic inequality, mirroring Sanders' themes. A recent YouGov poll indicated that 50 percent of voters would consider voting for a democratic socialist. Previously fringe left-wing stances, such as ending US support for Israel, have also gained traction.

However, this growth has prompted internal discussions within the movement regarding the acceptable level of compromise in electoral politics, leading to some internal debates. For instance, a national DSA panel narrowly voted against withdrawing Raman's endorsement just before the November 3 election, following scrutiny of her past positions on Israel and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The vote, which failed 14 to 13, averted a potential setback for her campaign.

A common thread among many democratic socialists is a commitment to effective governance and municipal administration, a characteristic exemplified by Raman, an former urban planner focused on housing and homelessness. Her campaign slogan, “a city that works,” reflects this dedication. Chang highlighted the DSA's ongoing engagement with constituents beyond election day, emphasizing the importance of delivering tangible improvements in services like waste management and infrastructure. “In four years, if we’re going to be knocking on doors and asking for these voters to support our candidate again, we don’t want to be in a situation where they say, ‘Well, I voted for you last time, and nothing got better,’” she remarked. Gude drew parallels to earlier socialist movements, which gained local support through practical measures such as improving sanitation and public spaces, a concept he referred to as “sewer socialism,” echoing the term used in the era of Eugene V. Debs. “On a practical level, it’s about trying to deliver for working people directly and build the movement from the ground up,” Gude concluded. “It’s a way of showing people that they can trust you to make tangible improvements in their lives.”