# Democratic socialists win three major US cities

> Progressive candidates have now taken control of Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC, marking a shift in urban politics.
- Title: Democratic socialists win three major US cities · TIME
- Summary: Progressive candidates have now taken control of Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC, marking a shift in urban politics.
- Keywords: nithya raman, los angeles mayor, democratic socialists of america, karen bass, zohran mamdani, new york city mayor, janeese lewis george, washington dc mayor, progressive politics, 2024 elections, TIME
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/11/05/democratic-socialist-mayors-la-dc-new-york-city-nithya-raman-election
- Author: Chantelle Lee
- Published: 2026-11-05T20:08:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nithya raman, los angeles mayor, democratic socialists of america, karen bass, zohran mamdani, new york city mayor, janeese lewis george, washington dc mayor, progressive politics, 2024 elections
## Raman defeats Bass in LA
The Associated Press called the race for Nithya Raman on Thursday afternoon. The Democratic socialist won 52.1% of the vote against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, who earned 47.9% with 76% of votes counted.

> Los Angeles, I'm deeply honored to be your next mayor.
## First Asian American mayor of LA
Raman, a City Council member and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, will be the first Asian American to ever lead California's most populous city.
## Three cities now led by progressives
Raman's victory follows Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City mayoral race last year.On Tuesday, Janeese Lewis George, another member of the Democratic Socialists of America, was elected mayor of Washington DC.
## Bass loses despite heavyweight support
Bass's loss came despite endorsements from former Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom. She had been unpopular with residents, many criticizing her response to devastating wildfires in southern California last year.
## Raman's progressive platform
Raman had backing from Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.She has advocated for reducing housing costs and bolstering tenant protections.A poll found LA voters ranked homelessness, cost of living and housing affordability as top problems.
## Raman will work with Trump if needed
Raman has publicly criticized the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement operations in LA. She has said, though, that like Mamdani in New York, she would work with the Trump Administration as needed for city residents' well-being.
## Mamdani and Lewis George's agendas
Mamdani has pursued a progressive policy agenda in New York, announcing free child care expansion, implementing a tax on high-end second homes and winning approval for a rent freeze.

> I'll be the mayor of the corner store and the corner office.
## Key takeaway

Democratic socialist Nithya Raman won the Los Angeles mayoral race, joining elected progressives in New York and Washington DC to lead three major US cities.