Mainstream California Democrats survived election night, but their brand remains challenged
Key takeaways
- “At a time when so many people have written Los Angeles off or have lost hope in the future of this incredible city,” the democratic socialist L.A.
- But as election results rolled in, the movement for change was underwhelming, or at least divided.
- Bass is one of several high-profile establishment Democrats to emerge on top.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass speaks on election night. (Carlin Stiehl / For The Times) By Jenny Jarvie National Correspondent Follow June 7, 2026 3 AM PT 13 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
When Nithya Raman stepped up to a podium on the night of L.A.’s mayoral primary election, she thanked her supporters for standing up to the “powerful interests” who spent millions of dollars trying to “preserve this city’s broken and unjust status quo.”
“At a time when so many people have written Los Angeles off or have lost hope in the future of this incredible city,” the democratic socialist L.A. mayoral hopeful said, “you are proof that Angelenos are hungry for change.”