Raman Leads Bass as LA Mayoral Count Continues

Los Angeles’ mayoral race remained too close to call as vote counts shifted overnight, with City Councilmember Nithya Raman leading Mayor Karen Bass by about 51% to 49% in the latest count. Thousands of ballots remained to be counted, and the outcome could take days; late-arriving ballots may favor Raman, who has strong support among younger voters. Bass defended her record on homelessness, public safety and jobs, while Raman criticized Bass’s leadership and campaigned on affordability, accountability and emergency-response concerns. Bass also faced criticism over her handling of the 2025 Palisades fire, and both candidates proposed expanded film and television tax incentives. Separately, Democrat Xavier Becerra was projected to win California’s gubernatorial race.