LA councilmember Nithya Raman files ethics complaints against Bass-backed PAC
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The gist
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman's campaign filed complaints against Thrive LA PAC over alleged AI impersonation.
The Nov. 3 election pits her against incumbent Karen Bass, and few council colleagues back her.
Background
Nithya Raman is a Los Angeles City Council member and mayoral candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America; she is a Harvard- and MIT-educated urban planner who in 2020 became the first DSA member elected to the council. She entered the mayor's race in February 2026 against Karen Bass, the incumbent seeking a second term, after previously endorsing Bass. Thrive LA PAC is described in the material as a conservative Super PAC backing Bass. The complaints follow Thrive LA ads featuring a fictional "Nithya Raman Realty" with an AI-generated Raman and signs including a "Designated Poop Zone."
How it unfolded
- 2020Raman told the DSA's L.A. chapter she opposed Los Angeles hosting the Olympics, criticizing a rushed deal without public input.
- 2020Raman defeated an incumbent council member, becoming the first DSA member elected in the city.
- Feb 2026Raman made a last-minute entry into the mayor's race against Karen Bass.
- Oct 13, 2026During an NBC4 and Telemundo 52 debate, Raman said the city used to be the gold standard on non-cooperation with immigration enforcement during the era of Darryl Gates.
- Oct 15, 2026Bass said Raman's remarks showed her inexperience; Raman at first said Bass was trying to twist her words.
- Oct 20, 2026POLITICO reported none of Raman's 14 council colleagues has endorsed her.
- Oct 26, 2026Raman's campaign filed complaints with the state Fair Political Practices Commission and the City Ethics Commission against Thrive LA PAC over alleged AI impersonation and disclosure violations.
- Oct 26, 2026The DSA's National Political Committee again delayed voting on whether to uphold or rescind DSA-LA's endorsement of Raman over concerns she hadn't taken a sufficiently tough stance against Israel.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Raman's campaign spokesperson Liz Garcia called it sad and illegal for Bass' conservative allies to clone Nithya's voice, manufacture her words and hide who is paying for it.
- Caution
- Thrive LA denies wrongdoing and accuses Raman of trying to bully critics into silence.
- Official
- Bass' campaign called Raman's apology too little, too late and proof she isn't ready to lead Los Angeles.
- Party
- Raman's campaign said Bass is manufacturing controversy to distract from her own record, and that Raman met with leaders of LA's Black community and owned her mistake.
- Public
- City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said he votes with Raman 99% of the time but is actively opposing her being mayor.
- Caution
- Council member Monica Rodriguez said fundamental trust with a partner is a big problem if you don't have it, and there is a lot of bad will there.
Still unverified
Raman's office alleges AI impersonation and multiple disclosure violations by Thrive LA; Thrive denies wrongdoing and the Ethics Commission has not issued a finding on the complaint.