Raman Launches Bid, Setting Up Clash with Bass
The move comes hours before the filing deadline and caps a turbulent week of candidate maneuvering.
- Raman, first councilmember elected with support from the Democratic Socialists of America, will campaign on housing, homelessness, transparency, and public safety.
- Her entry into the race follows the withdrawal of several other potential challengers, including L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and former schools superintendent Austin Beutner.
- Raman previously endorsed Bass and prominently featured her in campaign materials, but now argues the city needs “big changes” to address its challenges.
- The announcement sets up a potentially divisive contest between two progressive leaders with differing visions for Los Angeles.
What are the key issues in the Los Angeles mayoral race? Housing affordability, addressing homelessness, improving public safety, and increasing government transparency are expected to be central themes.
Raman, who lives in Silver Lake, framed her decision as a necessary step to address what she sees as growing dysfunction within city government. “I have deep respect for Mayor Bass,” she said, calling the mayor “an icon.” “But over the last few months…I’ve really begun to feel like unless we have some big changes in how we do things in Los Angeles, that the things we count on are not going to function anymore.”
The announcement, made hours before the noon filing deadline on February 1, 2025, followed a week of political upheaval. L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath opted against a run less than a day before Raman’s entry. Former L.A. schools superintendent Austin Beutner ended his campaign on Thursday, February 27, 2025, citing the death of his 22-year-old daughter. Real estate developer Rick Caruso also reaffirmed his decision not to run that same day. Bass campaign spokesperson Douglas Herman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Raman’s challenge is expected to be formidable. She has strong ties to both the Democratic Socialists of America—which saw a major victory with the election of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last fall—and the YIMBY movement, which advocates for increased housing production through zoning changes and revisions to Measure ULA, the $5.3 million property sales tax.
Bass, 72, currently faces over two dozen opponents. The field includes reality TV star Spencer Pratt, a Republican who has garnered support from figures like Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, focusing heavily on the city’s handling of the Palisades fire. Democratic socialist Rae Huang is running to Bass’s left, advocating for increased public housing and reduced police funding. Brentwood tech entrepreneur Adam Miller, 56, plans to self-fund his campaign, arguing the city needs stronger management. Asaad Alnajjar, a Bureau of Street Lighting employee, has already lent his campaign $80,000.
Raman’s decision to run against Bass is particularly striking given their past collaboration. Bass launched her Inside Safe program, aimed at moving homeless individuals into housing, in Raman’s district in December 2022. Raman prominently featured Bass in campaign materials during her 2022 reelection bid, including mailers, door hangers, and a video ad featuring Bass’s endorsement at a Sherman Oaks rally. Raman won reelection with 50.7% of the vote and continued to publicly praise Bass’s leadership. As recently as November, while at a Democratic Socialists of America election night watch party for Mamdani, Raman described Bass as “the most progressive mayor we’ve ever had in L.A.” Bass formally announced Raman’s endorsement last month, listing her among a dozen San Fernando Valley political leaders backing her reelection.
Raman first ran for office in 2020, promising stronger tenant protections and a more humane approach to homelessness. She called for a “transformation of the LAPD” into a smaller, specialized force, though she did not elaborate on specifics. Since then, the LAPD has lost approximately 1,300 officers, a 13% decrease. The City Council has also implemented new eviction protections and rent control measures for older apartments. Raman’s entry into the mayoral race doesn’t carry the same risk as it would have for Horvath, who would have had to forfeit her seat on the county Board of Supervisors had she challenged Bass. If Raman loses, she will retain her council seat until 2028.
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