Far-Left Socialist Surges Ahead in Los Angeles Mayoral Race
In a dramatic shift that has stunned political observers, far-left Democratic socialist Nithya Raman has taken a commanding lead over incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the race to lead California's largest city. The latest poll from Loyola Marymount University Center for the Study of Los Angeles shows Raman surging to 33 percent support, leaving Bass trailing significantly at just 17 percent.
Poll Reveals Progressive Shift in Los Angeles Electorate
The survey reveals a remarkable political transformation in Los Angeles, with nearly 50 percent of voters expressing preference for socialist candidates. This finding has led polling director Fernando Guerra to suggest that even Mayor Bass, traditionally considered a progressive Democrat, may not be liberal enough for the increasingly left-leaning city.
"Los Angeles is much more progressive than its elected leadership. This poll captures that," Guerra told the LA Times. The poll found that just eight percent of voters want an "establishment" Democrat, indicating a significant disconnect between Bass and her electorate.
Bass Faces Historic Re-Election Challenge
Mayor Bass now faces the real possibility of becoming the first Los Angeles mayor in over twenty years to lose re-election. Her tenure has been marked by several controversial missteps, including her handling of the devastating Palisades Fire last year that killed nearly twenty people and destroyed thousands of buildings, including the home of reality TV star Spencer Pratt.
Pratt, running as a fervent critic of Bass's leadership, has registered 12 percent support in the poll, putting him just five percentage points behind the incumbent mayor. The crowded field also includes leftist activist Rae Huang at 16 percent support and tech executive Adam Miller at 13 percent.
Raman's Controversial Policy Positions
Raman, a dues-paying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has built her campaign on far-left policies that have generated both support and controversy. During a 2023 surge in automobile thefts across Los Angeles, the city councilwoman sparked backlash by voting against banning the unlawful possession of catalytic converters.
"In this case, I think one of the things that infuriates me, is that we have a company — whatever, Toyota — who makes the Prius, that essentially has a device on their cars which is super easy to remove," Raman said at the time. Despite nearly 8,000 catalytic converters being stolen in 2022, Raman argued that manufacturers should create cars that are "not so easy to be stolen" rather than implementing bans.
Homelessness Crisis Remains Central Issue
Under Mayor Bass's leadership, homelessness has failed to decrease significantly despite the city pouring over $500 million into addressing the crisis. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, homelessness in 2025 stood at a staggering 67,777 people, down just 141 individuals despite massive spending.
Raman has faced scrutiny for her approach to the homeless crisis, particularly after she shrugged her shoulders during a debate when asked about enforcing laws banning homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools. "I don't think a kid's gonna be safer if they are 10 feet or 500 feet away from a school," Raman said, drawing boos from the audience.
The councilwoman later clarified her remarks, stating: "Keeping children safe is so important to me, especially as the mother of 10-year-old twins who walk to school every day. Rather than spending resources to move encampments down the street, where they remain on corridors where children and others walk, my focus has been on building a citywide homelessness response system that works to quickly and safely move people indoors."
June Election Looms as Critical Test
While Mayor Bass maintains leads in some other polls, the latest survey indicates she is far from safe in her re-election bid as Los Angeles voters prepare to head to the ballot box in June. The race has become a referendum on progressive politics in one of America's largest cities, with Raman's socialist platform resonating with a significant portion of the electorate.
The Daily Mail has contacted both Raman and Bass's offices for comment on the latest poll results and the current state of the mayoral race. As the campaign intensifies, all eyes remain on whether Los Angeles will embrace a dramatic political shift toward democratic socialism or maintain its current leadership amid growing discontent.
