Washington, Nov 2026 : Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman faces the immediate challenge of building working relationships with a City Council that overwhelmingly supported her defeated rival, Karen Bass, as she prepares to deliver on major promises involving homelessness, affordable housing and public services.
None of Raman's fellow councilmembers endorsed her mayoral campaign. Thirteen of the other 14 members backed Bass, including colleagues who, like Raman, belong to the Democratic Socialists of America.
However, following Bass's concession on Thursday, several councilmembers indicated that they were ready to work with the incoming mayor. Their cooperation will be crucial because the council has the authority to approve the city's budget and confirm mayoral appointments.
“Disagreement is inevitable, but dysfunction is a choice, and we do not have the luxury right now of dysfunction,” Katy Yaroslavsky, chair of the council's budget committee, told LAist.
Raman has outlined an ambitious agenda for Los Angeles, including reducing the number of people living in tents and homeless encampments by half before the 2028 Olympic Games. She has also promised to triple annual housing construction and establish a fully staffed film office to attract Hollywood productions and bring jobs back to the city.
In a video message released on Thursday, Raman reached out to residents who had supported Bass or chosen not to vote, pledging to work towards restoring public confidence.
“I am going to City Hall to work every single day to earn your trust, and to earn your trust in this city again,” she said, according to LAist.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who had campaigned for Bass, identified affordability and tenant protection as important areas where he could work with Raman. He acknowledged that differences had emerged during the mayoral campaign but said there were several areas of common ground.
“There are moments where we might not be on the same page, as with this mayoral campaign, but there’s a lot that we agree on,” he told the outlet.
Ysabel Jurado, chair of the council's homelessness committee, also expressed willingness to cooperate on affordable housing, safer streets and dependable public services. She said Raman would have her support in addressing these priorities.
Even some of Raman's more vocal critics extended congratulations. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez called the mayor-elect on Thursday, while Imelda Padilla expressed interest in improving coordination between the San Fernando Valley and City Hall.
Financial pressures, however, could complicate the implementation of Raman's promises. Yaroslavsky cautioned that the incoming mayor would inherit a challenging budget situation. The two have previously agreed on spending concerns, jointly opposing last year's proposed $2.6 billion Convention Center expansion over financial risks.
“We can’t spend money we don’t have,” Yaroslavsky said.
One of the first administrative decisions facing the new mayor and council will be filling Raman's vacant 4th District seat. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson's office has indicated that an appointment is being considered, although the city charter also allows a special election.
Raman can also expect support from City Controller Kenneth Mejia, the only elected City Hall official to endorse her. According to the Los Angeles Times, she had promised to allow him to audit every dollar of city spending on homelessness.
A two-term councilmember, Raman entered the mayoral race in February, shortly before the filing deadline, despite having previously endorsed Bass. Bass, in turn, had supported Raman's council re-election campaign two years earlier. Their political history highlights the challenge of building cooperation after a closely contested election.
