Los Angeles mayor-elect Nithya Raman now faces direct pressure from the Long Beach chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has issued a statement demanding she govern according to the organization's core principles. The chapter's warning comes after Raman's recent win in the Los Angeles mayoral race, a result the group claims depended on DSA support. According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the city's nonpartisan election on November 3, 2026, receiving 606,631 votes (54.73%) to Bass's 499,391 votes (45.27%), a margin of 107,240 votes. The Eastsider reported that Raman was expected to take office on December 14, 2026, and that the City Council formally welcomed her at City Hall on November 10, 2026.
In its statement, the Long Beach DSA argued that Raman's association with the group played a decisive role in her election, saying voters trusted her leadership because of the DSA's reputation for advancing a new political approach. The chapter insists that Raman now has an obligation to fully embrace DSA priorities, including tenant protections and expanded housing measures, as well as non-police public safety initiatives and pro-labor policies. These demands reflect the broader coalition that supported Raman's earlier election to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020, where her campaign emphasized additional housing and transit in a city defined by sprawl and congestion, as described by Governing.
Concerns over policy alignment and accountability
Despite Raman's membership in the DSA, the Long Beach chapter voiced skepticism about her commitment to the group's values. The statement cited her record on issues such as Palestine and policing as causes for concern, specifically highlighting her reluctance to take stronger positions aligned with DSA stances. The chapter also criticized Raman for not intervening in what it described as the city's "economic support for a genocidal apartheid state" and for proposing mansion tax reforms perceived as favorable to developers. The Intercept reported that a dispute over Raman's perceived lack of support for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement led to a committee vote to withdraw her endorsement, though the local DSA ultimately retained its support by a single vote shortly before the election.
One of the most contentious points involves Raman's campaign promise to replace LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, whom the chapter accused of collaborating with ICE. The group noted that Raman has since softened her position, signaling that McDonnell may remain in his role. The DSA labeled this a "major concern." The Long Beach chapter warned that if Raman did not govern as a "true democratic socialist," it would "bring the fight to her." No official city action, ordinance, or appointment has resulted from the warning, but the statement has added political pressure during the transition period before Raman's scheduled inauguration.
Endorsement tensions and campaign response
Raman's relationship with the DSA has not always been smooth. Just days before the election, she narrowly retained the group's endorsement after a contentious debate over her stance on boycotting Israel. While the DSA chapter maintains that its support was crucial to her win, Raman's campaign has emphasized the role of other allies, including labor unions and political partners. As reported earlier, housing and homelessness have remained central issues throughout the mayoral contest. Raman's campaign manager, Ian Manheimer, told the New York Times that he did not want the focus on DSA to overshadow the contributions of other partners.
Raman has described herself as both "a capitalist" and "a democratic socialist," and as "one of the most independent voices in City Hall," according to The Intercept. This dual identity has contributed to ongoing tension between her movement affiliation and her independent approach to officeholding. The Los Angeles City Council, none of whose sitting members endorsed Raman over the incumbent during the campaign, formally welcomed her after the election and pledged to work with her administration. The council's cooperation will be necessary for advancing policy demands such as housing expansion and tenant protections, as well as public safety reforms, which require legislative action rather than unilateral mayoral authority.
The California Post has reached out to Raman's campaign for comment regarding the DSA's statement.
For additional details on the election results and transition, see The Eastsider's reporting.
