Los Angeles mayoral race points to growing sway of democratic socialists

What the report says

Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman won the city’s mayoral race on November 5, defeating incumbent Karen Bass with nearly 53 percent of the vote, according to Al Jazeera. Raman, who is 45 and identifies as a democratic socialist, said in a social media video that she was honored by the result and promised to work on building a better future for the city. She is due to take office in December, making Los Angeles the latest major U.S. city to be led by a democratic socialist mayor.

The article places Raman’s victory within a broader pattern in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, when candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America won several races. Al Jazeera reported that the group expanded its presence in Congress, while allied candidates also won in New York, Colorado and California. The piece says these gains reflect growing frustration with economic inequality, rising living costs and a political system many voters see as favoring wealthier interests.

The report also notes internal debate within the movement over strategy and issues such as Israel and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which briefly surfaced in discussions about Raman’s endorsement before the election. It also highlights a practical, city-focused style of politics among some democratic socialists, emphasizing housing, homelessness and municipal services. The article suggests that this approach, sometimes compared with older “sewer socialism,” is helping the movement build support by focusing on everyday problems and local governance.