Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, an avowed socialist, announced Saturday that she will challenge Democratic Mayor Karen Bass for reelection in June. Raman, an Indian immigrant and councilmember since 2020, previously won her seat with backing from the Democratic Socialists of America, unseating an incumbent in the Democratic primary.

Raman’s campaign comes as Los Angeles faces ongoing crises, including a homelessness surge and lingering wildfire damage from January 2025. She told the Los Angeles Times that the city is “at a breaking point” and expressed the need for “big changes in how we do things in Los Angeles.” She described Mayor Bass as an “icon” while noting areas of policy alignment.

The June 2 mayoral election will advance the two top vote-getters to a November runoff if no candidate wins a simple majority. Alongside Bass and Raman, former reality TV personality Spencer Pratt is running as a Republican, though his chances are slim in the deep blue city. Other longshots include Rae Huang, a pastor and DSA member. Billionaire Rick Caruso, a Democrat who narrowly lost to Bass in 2022, declined to enter the race, and former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner withdrew after a personal tragedy.

Raman chairs the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, a key position as critics blame left-leaning policies for worsening homelessness in Los Angeles. While socialists have gained traction in other major cities in recent years, many voters remain wary of far-left approaches that could further strain the city’s resources and infrastructure.

Raman’s candidacy underscores the growing influence of socialist politics across America.