Los Angeles voters seeking a clear signal from the city’s most prominent socialist organization will be left without one this mayoral election. The Democratic Socialists of America – Los Angeles (DSA-LA) voted Saturday to not endorse a candidate in the race to replace Mayor Karen Bass, a decision that reflects deep divisions within the group over strategy and the viability of potential candidates. The outcome underscores the challenges facing progressive movements as they navigate mainstream electoral politics, particularly in a complex and crowded field like the one vying to lead the nation’s second-largest city.
The decision came after a last-minute entry into the race by City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who previously enjoyed the strong backing of DSA-LA during her own successful campaigns. Raman’s decision to challenge Bass, a former ally on some issues, prompted the organization to revisit its earlier decision to close the endorsement process without supporting anyone. The debate highlighted a central tension: whether to prioritize ideological purity or pragmatic electability in a city facing significant challenges, including a housing crisis and rising homelessness.
DSA-LA, with approximately 5,000 members, has become a significant force in local Los Angeles politics in recent years, successfully electing several candidates to the City Council. The group is known for its robust grassroots organizing, relying heavily on door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and direct engagement with voters. Currently, three DSA-backed politicians hold seats on the 15-member City Council: Hugo Soto-Martínez, Eunisses Hernandez, and Councilmember Raman herself. This influence makes the group’s decision not to weigh in on the mayoral race all the more notable.
A Divided Membership Weighs the Options
The debate leading up to Saturday’s vote, held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Koreatown, was spirited. Members argued passionately for and against reopening the endorsement process. Leslie Chang, a co-chair of DSA-LA, cautioned against inaction, stating, “The worst thing we can do right now for our movement is to say, ‘Well, actually, we’re not going to endorse Rae or Nithya. We’re going to do a third thing, which is to issue no endorsement.’ Who is the audience for this message?” Chang’s argument centered on the importance of providing clear direction to voters and maximizing the impact of the organization’s resources.
However, other members expressed reservations about both candidates. Anna Gross, another DSA-LA member, argued that neither Raman nor community organizer Rae Huang fully represented the organization’s ideals. “I do want a democratic socialist mayor, but as it stands, we have one candidate who is not going to win … and a candidate who will not openly identify as a democratic socialist,” Gross said, reflecting concerns that endorsing a candidate with limited prospects or lukewarm commitment to socialist principles would be counterproductive. Huang, even as aligning more closely with DSA-LA’s platform, was seen as a long-shot candidate with limited political experience.
Huang had previously attempted to secure the endorsement while the window was open, but failed to gather the required number of valid member signatures to qualify, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times.
The Vote and Its Implications
488 members participated in the vote, with approximately 55% supporting the reopening of the endorsement process. This fell short of the two-thirds majority required to move forward. The result means DSA-LA will remain neutral in the June 2 primary election, a significant departure from its usual practice of actively supporting candidates who align with its values.
Some members likewise voiced concerns that a mayoral endorsement would divert crucial resources from the six local candidates DSA-LA has already endorsed in City Council and other races. These include incumbents Soto-Martínez and Hernandez, as well as challengers Faizah Malik, Estuardo Mazariegos, Marissa Roy, and Rocío Rivas. The organization is prioritizing these down-ballot races, believing they offer more immediate opportunities to advance its agenda.
The field of candidates vying for the mayor’s office is crowded, including, in addition to Bass, Raman, and Huang, conservative reality TV star Spencer Pratt and tech entrepreneur Adam Miller. The lack of a DSA-LA endorsement leaves a void for progressive voters and raises questions about how the organization will mobilize its members in the absence of a preferred candidate.
Looking Ahead to the Runoff
While DSA-LA has opted to remain neutral for now, the organization has not ruled out the possibility of endorsing a candidate in the event of a runoff election if no candidate secures a majority in the primary. This leaves the door open for a potential endorsement later in the race, depending on which candidates advance and how they position themselves on key issues.
The decision by DSA-LA reflects a broader debate within the progressive movement about the best path to achieving its goals. Some argue for prioritizing electoral success, even if it means compromising on certain principles. Others maintain that ideological purity is paramount, even if it means sacrificing short-term gains. The Los Angeles mayoral race will serve as a crucial test case for these competing strategies.
The primary election is scheduled for June 2nd. Voters can identify information about candidates and polling locations on the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website. The outcome of the primary will determine which candidates will compete for the city’s top job in the November general election.
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