Nithya Raman is poised to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race, with the latest ballot returns showing Raman with a 34,654-vote lead. As of early November 5, Raman had garnered 429,450 votes, representing 52.10% of the total, while Bass trailed with 394,796 votes, or 47.90%.
The most recent count, which added 39,984 votes, saw Raman secure nearly 61% of those ballots. Approximately 76% of all ballots have now been processed.
This development marks a reversal from election night, when Bass initially held a lead of 9,941 votes. That advantage diminished throughout the week as later-counted ballots favored Raman. Decision Desk HQ projected Raman as the winner on Wednesday, though the Associated Press had not yet called the race.
Analysts suggest Raman's success is partly due to strong support from younger voters, who often cast their ballots closer to Election Day. The campaign has been heavily influenced by issues such as homelessness, public safety, and the rising cost of housing.
An earlier poll in October indicated Raman leading Bass 46.7% to 38.8%, with a significant portion of likely voters expressing disapproval of the incumbent mayor's job performance. The next mayor will face challenges including budget constraints, ongoing homelessness issues, LAPD staffing shortages, and preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics.