Raman unseats Bass as Los Angeles mayor, marking a historic shift

Raman was publicly seen for the first time since her win, emerging from her home to a downtown Los Angeles workspace. In a video statement, she expressed her deep honor at being elected and thanked the volunteers who supported her campaign. “Los Angeles, I’m deeply honored to be your next mayor,” Raman stated.

Karen Bass conceded defeat Thursday, issuing a statement acknowledging the results. “While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken,” she said. Bass also committed to a smooth transition of power and thanked her supporters, reflecting on her four years in office and the responsibility she carried.

In 2005, Antonio Villaraigosa achieved a similar victory over James K. Hahn. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky extended her congratulations to Raman, praising her dedication to the city and thanking Bass for her leadership. Yaroslavsky emphasized the need for collaboration to address Los Angeles’s challenges, including housing affordability and City Hall transparency.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which supported Bass’ reelection and spent millions opposing Raman, released a statement congratulating Raman while expressing concerns about potential cuts to the LAPD. League president Ricky Mendoza has reached out to Raman to initiate a dialog. The union stated their shared goal of maintaining adequate staffing levels to ensure safety.

Bass held a lead initially, but as ballots cast closer to election day were tallied, Raman gained momentum and extended her lead. While over 700,000 ballots countywide remained uncounted as of Thursday morning, the outcome appears definitive.

Prior to the final results, Bass expressed optimism at a Hollywood gathering and highlighted her accomplishments during her term. Polls released last week by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies indicated a close race, with both candidates at 40% support among likely voters.

Throughout the campaign, Bass and her supporters targeted Raman’s public safety record, including her call for the removal of former Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Raman apologized for a past comment comparing the LAPD under Daryl Gates to a “gold standard,” clarifying that she was referencing a specific policy regarding immigration enforcement. Raman has campaigned on a platform of addressing what she describes as a “broken city,” criticizing Bass’ handling of issues like police salaries and convention center modernization.

Bass had sought another term to continue her work on homelessness, housing, and public safety.