Nithya Raman was named the winner of the race for Los Angeles Mayor this week, unseating incumbent Karen Bass without a single endorsement from her colleagues at the City Council.
Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and two-term L.A. city councilmember, entered the race in February, hours before the filing deadline passed after endorsing Bass in her campaign for reelection. The move came as a surprise to her colleagues at the city council and angered many allied with Bass, who noted the mayor had helped Raman win reelection two years ago.
In a video message posted Thursday, Raman expressed her gratitude for the people of L.A. and the support they have given her during the election.
“I am going to city hall to work every single day, to earn your trust and to earn your trust in this city again. That work starts now.”
Now that she has won the election with the support of the people of L.A., Raman must win the support of her fellow council members. Thirteen of the 14 sitting council members endorsed Bass, including other Democratic Socialist affiliated members. The council approves the city budget, confirms the mayor’s appointees and will decide who fills Raman’s own council seat; cooperation is crucial despite the rocky start.
Of the 12 city council members, 11 have released statements congratulating Raman and pledging to partner with her on basic city services such as working streetlights, fixed sidewalks and help for renters.
Ysabel Jurado, of District 14 and a DSA member, wrote, “We share a belief that working people should be able to build a future in this city, and I am ready to work alongside her to make that promise real for more Angelenos.”
Eunisses Hernandez, fellow DSA member and councilmember representing District 1, shared Jurado’s sentiments, writing in her statement, “She and I have already worked together on city council to pass progressive policies, from coauthoring the Sanctuary City Ordinance to advancing stronger protections for tenants facing eviction and harassment. We’ve shown what’s possible when we challenge the status quo, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish together with her in the Mayor’s Office.”
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, an outspoken critic of Raman during her campaign, is the only council member who has yet to release a statement. According to LAist, Rodriguez called the mayor-elect as of Thursday to congratulate her on her appointment.
Earlier this week, Rodriguez told NBC Los Angeles that working with Raman would require colleagues to set aside “personal feelings.”
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