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NewsCapital & MainOctober 26, 2026Los Angeles County

Black L.A. Maintains Support for Mayor Karen Bass Despite Reservations as Challenger Nithya Raman Campaigns for Change

Photo: Capital & Main

Black Angelenos are largely holding onto their support for incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in her reelection bid, despite acknowledging some shortcomings and dissatisfaction with her administration's oversight. Meanwhile, challenger Nithya Raman is working to build a broad multicultural coalition, courting voters who are frustrated by the city's living costs and declining quality of life. The upcoming mayoral showdown also unfolds against a backdrop of declining local Black representation and political tensions involving federal leadership.

ElectionsLocal GovernmentRacial EquityHousingPolitics
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Why It Matters

The election will determine the political leadership of Los Angeles and influence local policy on homelessness, housing, and civil rights for a city where the Black population has declined to about 8%.

Key Facts

  • The Los Angeles mayoral race features incumbent Karen Bass against challenger Nithya Raman in its final weeks.
  • Black voters in L.A. continue to largely support Karen Bass despite acknowledging reservations and dissatisfaction with administrative oversight.
  • Nithya Raman is attempting to build a multicultural coalition focusing on affordability and citywide problems, gaining notable support from Latino voters.
  • Los Angeles' Black population has declined to about 8% today from a peak of 18% in 1970.
  • The 9th district council seat in South L.A. faces the prospect of lacking a Black councilmember for the first time in more than 60 years.
  • Karen Bass was elected four years ago as the city's first Black and first woman mayor, defeating Rick Caruso.
  • Federal policies and rhetoric from the Trump administration regarding homelessness and Black elected officials provide a broader backdrop of political tension for the election.

Who's Mentioned

PersonDonald Trump“U.S. President whose administration policies and rhetoric contrast with local le”PersonAngie Nixon“Black Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Florida.”PersonMike Guynn“Longtime South Central resident and board member of the L.A. chapter of the New ”OrganizationNew Frontier Democratic Club“Black Democratic organization in Los Angeles.”PersonJ.D. Vance“Vice President of the United States.”PersonKaren Bass“Incumbent Mayor of Los Angeles running for reelection.”locationFlorida“State where Angie Nixon is running for Senate.”PersonIlhan Omar“U.S. Representative from Minnesota.”PersonLisa Cook“Federal Reserve governor.”OrganizationBlack Los Angeles Young Democrats“Group that endorsed Nithya Raman.”PersonZohran Mamdani“New York City mayoral candidate who built a cross-racial coalition.”locationGeorgia“State where Fani Willis serves as D.A.”PersonNithya Raman“City Council member and mayoral challenger.”PersonRick Caruso“Former mayoral candidate who ran against Karen Bass four years ago.”PersonFani Willis“Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney.”OrganizationDemocratic Socialists of America“Political organization with which Nithya Raman is affiliated.”locationNew York City“City referenced for comparison in coalition-building.”OrganizationJustice Department“Federal agency that conducted a raid on the home of Ilhan Omar.”locationLos Angeles“City holding the mayoral election.”locationMinnesota“State represented by Ilhan Omar.”