Bass and Raman Clash Over Homelessness and City Services in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman are facing competing questions about leadership, homelessness, policing, and neighborhood services as they campaign for the city's top office. In interviews and campaign coverage published October 26 and 27, 2026, Bass defended her administration's record while criticizing Raman's positions, and business owners offered conflicting accounts of Raman's responsiveness to local concerns.

Bass is seeking a second term, while Raman, who has support from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is challenging the incumbent. The candidates' differences extend beyond city management to policing, business interests, and the future of progressive politics in California.

In an interview with ABC7 reporter Josh Haskell, Bass questioned Raman's changing position on whether to remove Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell. Bass also disputed claims that the department's budget had driven the city toward financial collapse, arguing that the City Council must approve measures she proposes.

Addressing Raman's criticism of the police department, Bass said, "She changes her position every other day. But the latest one was - she would begin the process to remove him on day one. Then she said 2030, then she said, well, you know, maybe a little later. But the bottom line is. when she was asked who would you replace him with or who was your ideal, she had no idea," according to ABC7.

Bass rejected the argument that police spending alone explained the city's financial difficulties. She also said Raman had consistently opposed police pay increases and hiring. On allegations that the LAPD had worked to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bass disputed the claim while acknowledging that police conduct during protests warranted examination.

"No. And as a matter of fact, it's just not truthful. Because basically what she has said is, is that because I single-handedly, and Josh, you know, I don't single-handedly do much, that because of that, that it drove the city to bankruptcy.

The city was never facing bankruptcy. So any measure that I put forward to the council, the council has to vote for. Now, what is true is that she has always voted against giving raises to police.

As well as police hiring," Bass told ABC7.

She added, "It is not true. I mean, she said that they were working on behalf of ICE. That is not the truth.

Now, she's also talked about what happened at the protests. And, I think that that needs to be examined," addressing allegations concerning the department's relationship with federal immigration authorities.

Bass acknowledged shortcomings in her approach to homelessness, saying her administration initially emphasized moving people off the streets rather than restructuring the system responsible for services. She argued that Los Angeles needed greater independent control over its homelessness response, including how shelter capacity was allocated.

"Certainly in the Palisades and me not being here, and my focus on homelessness, number one, was getting people off the streets. One of the things that I could have done better is paid attention to transforming the system earlier. I was hoping it could be reformed. Now, I believe we need to have an entirely new system," Bass said.

Asked about the approaching election, Bass acknowledged concern about the possibility of losing, telling ABC7, "I don't know a candidate, and I'm certainly one of them, that is not concerned about whether or not they will win an election. What about my last one? I was certainly worried," she said.

Separate reporting by the Los Angeles Times examined Raman's record on neighborhood services, particularly in the San Fernando Valley. Some business owners complained about difficulties obtaining help with sidewalks, encampments, and public safety, while others praised her staff for helping navigate city procedures and secure traffic-calming measures.

Jessica Lewis, owner of Dragonfly Cycle and Train in Sherman Oaks, criticized the council office's response to complaints about conditions near her business. "She’s just been MIA," Lewis said, describing emails and photographs concerning waste and encampments that she said had gone unanswered.

Raman's spokesperson, Stella Stahl, defended the office's approach, saying it works to address residents' concerns through available municipal resources. "Our approach is to listen to those who live and work in a neighborhood, then use every tool the city has to fix what they’ve told us is broken," Stahl said.

Other business owners reported more positive experiences. Marissa Rodriguez, who opened Dia Natural Wine in Studio City in 2022, said Raman's staff helped her navigate licensing and permitting requirements. Tyler Simmons, owner of Reunion & Co. in Los Feliz, credited the office with helping secure four speed tables near his business last year.

"She’s done her best," Simmons said. He added that "I think there’s larger systemic issues at play within the city ... it’s bigger than a councilperson, unfortunately. I’m hoping, if she wins, she’ll help change all that."

Casa Vega owner Christy Vega offered a different assessment, describing repeated efforts to obtain assistance with damaged pavement, an encampment, and safety concerns near her Sherman Oaks restaurant. Vega said she was supporting Bass in the election and had encountered difficulties seeking repairs and other services through Raman's office.

Stahl said the office took constituents' concerns seriously but could not accommodate every request. She also explained that the Bureau of Street Services lacked funding to repair damaged sidewalks, leaving responsibility for certain repairs to adjacent property owners.

Beyond neighborhood services, the race has become part of a wider debate about progressive politics and corporate influence in California. An October 27 analysis published by Left Voice described Raman as a DSA-backed challenger to Bass, who has received support from prominent business organizations.

The same analysis discussed Proposition 40, a proposed five percent wealth tax on Californians with assets of $1 billion or more. The measure, backed by Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, was presented by its supporters as a way to fund public health care and other public services. The article said technology executive Sergey Brin had contributed more than $100 million to efforts opposing the measure, citing the Los Angeles Times.

Left Voice also reported internal disagreement within the DSA over its endorsement of Raman. The organization's national leadership questioned whether the Los Angeles chapter had followed a resolution requiring local chapters to inquire about candidates' positions on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement before issuing endorsements.

With homelessness, policing, neighborhood services, and economic policy all under scrutiny, the competing campaigns have highlighted different assessments of Bass's administration and Raman's record on the City Council. The Los Angeles Times reported that the mayoral election was scheduled for November 3, 2026.