Raman stresses independence as rivals for LA mayor duel over homelessness, Israel

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrat Nithya Raman stressed her independence Tuesday from the Democratic Socialists of America, highlighting her disagreements with the group that is backing her candidacy for Los Angeles mayor.

“My independence will always be paramount,” said Raman, a city council member who is trying to oust her fellow Democrat, Mayor Karen Bass. If elected, “My focus will be on what I believe is best for Angelenos.”

Her comments came during a forum co-hosted by the Jewish Federation Los Angeles at a time when the party has been deeply divided over the war in Gaza and aid to Israel. Raman also faced questions about her interview with progressive commentator Hasan Piker last spring in which she responded “I do, yes,” when asked by Piker if she believed Israel had committed genocide. In contrast, when Bass was asked whether using genocide was appropriate, she said, “No, I don’t.”

Raman defended her appearance with the Piker, saying it was important to connect with voters across the political spectrum “who might not see you in other places,” such as TV news programs. She said she recognized genocide is “a deeply painful word” but said she was compelled to speak out after seeing images of "the targeting of hospitals, the deaths of children,” prompting murmurs in the audience.

Raman and Bass fielded questions separately on stage on issues from homelessness to police staffing, with mail ballots heading to homes in early October. Voters are weighing whether to stick with the unpopular incumbent or turn to the little-known city council member as the city contends with a housing shortage and the long-running homeless crisis with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon.

The contest has raised the possibility that the nation’s second most populous city could follow New York’s lead, where democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor, capping a stunning ascent for the far-left state lawmaker who promised to transform city government to restore power to the working class. Yet in LA, no celebrity swirl has gathered around Raman in her first run for citywide office.

Raman — who is backed by DSA's Los Angeles chapter — noted that the group had been critical of her approach to housing and some of her votes on policing matters. "I've proven myself to be an independent voice," she said.

Appearing before a heavily Jewish audience, both candidates promised to use the post to work against antisemitism.

Bass, the first Black woman to hold the post, is fighting to keep her job after a rough first term in which she suffered sustained fallout from the deadly Palisades Fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles history that ignited when she was out of the country. In June, a fire east of downtown in a massive frozen-food warehouse left neighbors to endure weeks of foul smells and frustration.

Bass reflected on her travails during the Palisades fire, saying that not being in the city was “very, very painful.”

She called it “one of the worst moments I have experienced,” adding later, “Lesson learned.”

Raman, who endorsed Bass before reversing course and entering the race herself, is testing if voters in the heavily Democratic city want to move further to the political left to address long-running problems of homelessness, buckled streets and climbing rent and home prices. She's railed against “the broken status quo.”

The race earlier garnered national attention for the candidacy of Spencer Pratt, a Republican who starred on “The Hills” and had lost his home in the Palisades Fire. His campaign was lifted by videos that supporters generated with artificial intelligence, though he failed to qualify for the November election.

In a city known to shrug at local politics, the race to take charge at City Hall has been overshadowed by ongoing turmoil in Washington, the fight for Congress, two wars, anxiety over inflation and the Los Angeles Dodgers gearing up for another playoff run.

After the fires, “There are a bunch of people who don’t want to vote for Karen (Bass) and they are wrestling with what to do,” said veteran Democratic strategist Bill Carrick. As a council member, Raman is not widely known and “the decibel level of this campaign is unbelievably low.”

With mail ballots scheduled to arrive at homes in early October, typical markers of election season — yard signs, TV ads, billboards and bumper stickers — are rarely seen. Data compiled by AdImpact shows the campaigns have spent or booked only a sprinkle of airtime and digital messaging so far through Election Day.

Bass took office in 2022 promising to contend with an out-of-control homeless crisis, but the problem remains in plain view in most neighborhoods. Figures released in July showed homelessness increased over the previous year, after taking a dip. Bass faulted the Trump administration for cuts and policies “that pushed more people onto the streets.”

During her time in office, the city has weathered federal immigration raids and witnessed a continuing exit of Hollywood jobs, while residents complain about dirty, crumbling streets and homeless encampments.

Raman, who could be the first South Asian woman in the job, says that while City Hall has favored powerful insiders, “working people pay the price in higher rents, depleted services and a city that has stopped working for them.” She has promised to speed up housing construction, bring back entertainment industry jobs and improve services in a city known for an unresponsive City Hall.

One of the unknowns in the race is where Pratt's supporters will go, if they vote at all. Pratt finished with about 25% of the vote, several points behind Raman. He's continued to criticize both candidates on social media.

“Truly the Dumb and Dumber election. So sad for LA. Dark times ahead, folks,” he recently posted on X.