Karen Bass Fights to Keep LA Mayor Seat Against Progressive Challenger Nithya Raman

Vanity Fair · 2026-10-28
Karen Bass Fights to Keep LA Mayor Seat Against Progressive Challenger Nithya Raman

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, once a favorite of the city's liberal elite, is now in a tough reelection battle against Nithya Raman, a younger progressive with strong ties to the entertainment industry. Bass sat down with Vanity Fair to discuss her radical past, her powerful allies, and the high-stakes fight to remain mayor. The race highlights a generational and ideological divide within LA's Democratic politics, with Raman's grassroots campaign gaining momentum among voters frustrated with homelessness and housing costs. Bass defends her record and points to her experience, while acknowledging the shifting political landscape. With her political future on the line, the outcome could signal the direction of the city's leadership for years to come.