Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman secured the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America's Los Angeles chapter (DSA-LA) in her mayoral challenge against incumbent Karen Bass. This endorsement is expected to provide Raman with substantial organizational support, including potent door-knocking campaigns, as the DSA-LA is known for its effective grassroots political organizing.
The backing of DSA-LA, a group with over 6,000 members in the region, came after Raman won more than 60% of the vote in an online internal election where approximately 1,400 members participated. The DSA-LA views Raman's candidacy as an opportunity to unite various community groups, including tenants, union members, and immigrant communities, to challenge corporate influence in city government and promote a vision where working Angelenos can afford to live in the city.
However, this endorsement is seen as a double-edged sword. While it brings significant resources, it also opens Raman to criticism that her political views are too far left for a broader segment of Los Angeles voters. Political analysts, such as Christian Grose of USC, suggest that the DSA endorsement could alienate voters who supported Spencer Pratt, who finished third in the primary, and whose votes might be decisive in the general election. Raman's past positions, such as her votes to cut public safety funding and her stance on rolling back parts of the mansion tax (which taxes properties worth over $5.4 million), are likely to be highlighted by her opponents.
Despite potential political backlash, the DSA-LA endorsement follows another significant backing for Raman from Unite HERE Local 11, a major union representing hotel and restaurant workers. Raman herself is a member of the DSA-LA, although she was not endorsed in the primary due to some members feeling she did not adhere closely enough to the organization's platform at the time. The mayoral race between Bass and Raman is heading to a nonpartisan general election in November, as neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote in the June primary.
