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ELECTION 2026 - In a mayoral runoff featuring a traditional Democratic incumbent in Mayor Karen Bass and her former ally, now opponent, Councilmember Nithya Raman, the Democratic Socialist, what has become of this process, and can establishment Democrats and traditional liberals survive?
While municipal elections are deemed officially "non-partisan," the influence of Democrats and its different branches are obvious and evident with some 90 days to go.
For Democratic Socialism is on the rise, as all segments of the party are taking sides in this battle for the soul of a political party apparently morphing into something more radical than ever before.
Four years ago, the race was about moderate billionaire developer Rick Caruso, sometimes a Republican, turned independent turned Democrat and Karen Bass, the lifetime liberal who served as Assembly Speaker, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and high-profile ally of then President Joe Biden who was considered as a possible cabinet secretary, and even on the short list for vice-president in 2020.
Instead, Bass came home and defeated the poll-driven Caruso, 55%-45%, or 509,944 to 420,030.
Caruso initially indicated another possible run for mayor after the Palisades wildfires, ultimately opted to skip the race and focus on the rebuilding of this devastated neighborhood. His decision to pass on the campaign led to the emergence of reality star Spencer Pratt, a Palisades resident focusing exclusively on the reconstruction and all that is wrong with Los Angeles government and politics in general.
Pratt ran an unconventional social media dominated campaign, capturing 25% of the vote or 217,977 while Bass led the field with 34% to Raman's 29% in the June 2nd Primary. Pratt, a Republican was dogged with comparisons to President Donald Trump faded down the stretch as Raman finished just 5 points behind a flawed incumbent.
So, with 90 days to go, the runoff race is between two fairly sleepy choices as where will the Pratt vote land and can Bass recapture her coalition that got her elected four years ago?
So, is this so-called "big tent" Democratic Party really being exposed as a Big Top circus folly?
In a one-party city, if Bass and Raman cannot see eye to eye, where do other more moderate Democrats like Caruso or Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11) fit in this family feud of sorts?
Clearly DSA candidates are pushing the envelope in urban centers like Los Angeles and New York, where NY Mayor Zohran Mamdani is enjoying strong poll numbers and defeating establishment incumbents in primaries, is this race between Bass and Raman an extension of this national debate of where the Democratic Party is ultimately headed?
For Raman, does she practice what she preaches on the campaign trail?
By most accounts, Nithya Raman and her family are considered financially comfortable by any standard.
Raman worked in architecture and urban planning before entering politics. Her husband, Vignesh Swaminathan, is a transportation engineer and entrepreneur. Public financial disclosure forms have indicated that they own real estate and have significant financial assets, leading many observers to conclude they are millionaires on paper, particularly given the value of Los Angeles real estate.
Supporters argue that democratic socialism is about advocating policies such as affordable housing, stronger labor protections, expanded public services, and higher taxes on the wealthy—not about requiring politicians to be of modest means.
Critics argue that wealthy politicians who advocate redistributive policies are being inconsistent or hypocritical if they benefit from wealth while promoting policies that would increase taxes or regulation on high-income individuals.
In clear contrast, public records suggest Mayor Bass's net worth just over $400,000, with most of that derived from traditional savings tools.
Hardly rich or financially affluent by any standard.
So, is this race really about reshuffling political power between competing coalitions of the Democratic Party?
And in a race without a Hispanic candidate, where does that constituency find a home as they represent roughly 40% of the electorate?
With 63% of primary voters selecting either Bass or Raman, which candidate has the organizational touch to reach that 37% of the vote still up for grabs?
For it seems the differences between these two choices are minimal in scope and policy.
What seems to be the bigger difference is style and personality, as Bass seems tailored made for retail politics and engagement while Raman, ever the policy wonk, does not have the name ID or resume that suggests any real change at all, especially her opposition to LA Municipal Code 41.18, the ordinance that restricts homeless encampments in sensitive areas such as schools and churches.
For elections of this size and scope may come down to pocketbook issues versus political organization, identification and labels.
Is Bass worthy of reelection in the minds of cranky voters, or is change, the dominating consensus not to return the incumbent for another four years?
We will find out soon enough.
As to the future course of the Democratic Party, will it absorb the DSA, or will the DSA become the new way of local party structure here in Los Angeles?
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of Los Angeles and is covering several races on the November runoff ballot. A regular contributor to City Watch LA, he can be reached via e-mail at [email protected])
