Democratic socialists are positioning to significantly increase their influence at Los Angeles City Hall this fall, with mayoral and city attorney races presenting their most substantial opportunities to date.
Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman and city attorney hopeful Marissa Roy, both affiliated with the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), are entering the November general election following strong performances in the June primary. If successful, Raman would join a growing number of democratic socialist leaders in major U.S. cities, such as Zohran Mamdani in New York and Katie Wilson in Seattle. Janeese Lewis George’s recent primary victory in Washington, D.C., for mayor also indicates a potential further expansion of this political movement.
Fernando Guerra, a political science professor at Loyola Marymount University, explained that the election of a democratic socialist mayor and city attorney in Los Angeles could result in increased political alignment between these two powerful offices. This alignment might reduce the likelihood of the city attorney’s office acting as a check on the mayor’s policy initiatives, particularly concerning land use and public safety.
The potential election of Raman and Roy would also signal a discernible leftward shift in Los Angeles politics. The city already has four City Council members who are DSA members, two of whom were reelected in the primary. City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who received a recommendation from the DSA, was also reelected.
The DSA advocates for policies generally considered to be to the left of establishment Democrats, including incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The L.A. DSA chapter has publicly stated objectives such as prison abolition and police defunding. Sean Wakasa, co-chair of L.A. DSA, stated that the organization's growth stems from its success in destigmatizing socialism, asserting that "democratic socialism ultimately, at the end of the day, is about making the politics that working-class Americans can see themselves in."
Wakasa outlined potential policy priorities for a DSA mayor in Los Angeles, including expanding public transit, enhancing renter protections, advocating for workers' rights, increasing the minimum wage, and defending immigrants. The city attorney, he added, would focus on enforcing renter protections, addressing wage theft, and upholding sanctuary city policies.
Conversely, business groups and public safety advocates have expressed apprehension regarding the prospect of DSA members holding key positions at City Hall. Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, voiced concerns that such leadership could lead to overly aggressive tenant protection policies discouraging new rental development and a weakening of law enforcement, potentially increasing crime. He characterized the candidates as deeply committed to DSA ideology.
Marissa Roy, a candidate for city attorney, has stated her intention to transform the office into a significant public interest law firm, focusing on wage theft, tenant harassment, and similar issues. She contested Waldman's assessment, arguing that enforcing existing protections for renters, workers, and consumers is essential for a safer and more affordable city, rather than allowing corporate violations of law.
Nithya Raman stated her alignment with the DSA's commitment to advocating for working people and those marginalized by a system that often favors powerful interests. However, she also emphasized the practical aspects of governance, noting that effective service delivery, such as fixing potholes and responding to emergency calls, is crucial for public faith in government.
Rick Cole, a former deputy mayor of Los Angeles and current Pasadena City Council member, suggested that the DSA affiliation of the candidates does not necessarily mean they will adopt extreme versions of the ideology. He described both Raman and Roy as pragmatic rather than purely ideological, noting that Raman's DSA membership suggests a greater focus on issues like affordable housing and a more humane approach to homelessness, alongside a potentially more critical stance on policing.
A recent poll indicated that in a head-to-head matchup, Raman held a slight lead over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass among registered voters. Bass’s campaign, however, has indicated it will focus on Raman's voting record regarding encampments and police funding rather than her DSA affiliation. Several DSA-endorsed members of the City Council have endorsed Bass, citing her opposition to federal immigration raids.
In the city attorney primary, Roy secured a significant lead and will face John McKinney in the runoff. McKinney has warned that Roy's election could lead to a decline in public safety, drawing parallels to a previous tenure as county district attorney. The DSA has seen success in recent City Council primaries, with several endorsed incumbents winning reelection, although one endorsed candidate did not advance to a runoff. DSA leaders have expressed satisfaction with their candidates' performance and growing presence in Los Angeles County politics.
