LAPD union warns about Nithya Raman
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
With 67% of ballots counted, LA councilmember Nithya Raman leads Mayor Karen Bass 51.7% to 48.3%.
The LAPD union's warning signals a likely clash over police funding and leadership.
Background
Nithya Raman is a Los Angeles city councilmember and self-described Democratic socialist running to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing rank-and-file LAPD officers, endorsed Bass and spent over $5 million to oppose Raman, who like other DSA-affiliated candidates had called for defunding the police during the 2020 uprisings after George Floyd's killing. The next mayor will lead the city through the final years of the Trump administration and take charge of the 2028 Olympics.
How it unfolded
- Oct 30, 2026LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell responds to Raman's claims of ICE collaboration, saying the department is not involved in civil immigration enforcement.
- Nov 1, 2026After casting her ballot in Koreatown, Karen Bass warns Raman would bring 'chaos from day one' and potentially invite federal intervention; the police union issues a similarly harsh warning.
- Nov 2, 2026Raman votes against a Westside homeless encampment ban; the police union says she 'once again voted to allow dangerous homeless camps near sensitive locations.'
- Nov 4, 2026With 67% of expected city ballots counted, Raman leads Bass 51.7% to 48.3% (405,193 to 379,069); the race is too close to call. Union leader Jamie McBride warns the city should 'prepare for Armageddon' if Raman becomes mayor.
- Nov 5, 2026Raman is reported to have defeated Karen Bass in the LA mayor's race.
Key terms
- LAPD
- The municipal police department of Los Angeles, California, one of the largest such departments in the United States.
- DSA
- A socialist political organization in the United States advocating democratic socialism through electoral politics, labor organizing, and direct action.
- defunding the police
- A slogan advocating reallocating funds from police departments to community services and public safety alternatives.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Union
- LAPD union leader Jamie McBride says the city should 'prepare for Armageddon' if Raman wins, and that officers will simply leave the department rather than be defunded.
- Bass
- Karen Bass warns Raman would bring 'chaos from day one,' drive officers out and invite federal intervention, saying 'Los Angeles can manage Los Angeles.'
- Raman
- Raman's campaign expressed optimism and confidence that, once all votes are counted, she will become the 44th mayor of Los Angeles.
- Analysts
- Councilmember Monica Rodriguez noted that all 14 of Raman's council colleagues endorsed Bass, which would require them to set aside 'personal feelings.'
Still unverified
The race remained too close to call with a large number of ballots still outstanding, according to NBC News, even as other reporting said Raman had defeated Bass.