L.A.’s Lose-Lose-Lose Primary The Los Angeles mayoral primary features Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist, challenging incumbent Karen Bass on housing affordability. Raman, compared to New York’s Zohran Mamdani, is seen as lacking charisma and modern campaigning skills, and has faced criticism for her responses to key issues like homelessness and voting rights. Bass, the incumbent, is criticized for the ineffectiveness of her homelessness initiative, ‘Inside Safe,’ and for policies that have not addressed the city’s housing crisis.

• Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist, is challenging incumbent Karen Bass for mayor of Los Angeles, focusing on housing affordability.
• Raman is criticized for her perceived lack of charisma, poor debate performance, and controversial past statements on defunding the police.
• Bass’s homelessness program, ‘Inside Safe,’ is deemed ineffective and costly, with a low rate of successful permanent housing placements.
• Bass’s housing policies have also faced criticism for failing to increase housing permits and for introducing loopholes that hinder development.
• Despite Raman’s progressive policies, she has struggled to gain endorsements from key Democratic and union groups in Los Angeles.