Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman faced questions regarding her association with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) during a press conference on September 9, 2026. Reporters inquired about her ties to the DSA and whether their left-wing agenda would benefit Los Angeles. Raman did not directly address the questions about the DSA but emphasized her political independence and commitment to the city.
When asked about the lack of a press conference for the DSA's endorsement, Raman stated, "I am running for mayor, and I’ve made my positions very clear, and at points, I have broken with any organization that has supported me in the past when I have felt that policies need to be reconsidered or considered differently in order to deliver results for Angelenos."
The DSA endorsed Raman on September 2, 2026, after she received over 60% of the votes from chapter members. The group advocates for redirecting police funding, repealing parts of the city’s anti-camping law, and potentially moving housing out of the private market.
During the press conference, Raman criticized Mayor Karen Bass regarding the city’s homelessness crisis and the management of taxpayer funds. She was questioned about why her proposed reforms had not been implemented while she chaired the City Council committee overseeing homelessness. Raman responded by highlighting her achievements in her council district and the limitations of a councilmember's authority, stating, "In my district, where I had the most direct operational control over our homelessness response, I delivered real results."
Raman also addressed inquiries about her and Bass's previous roles within the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), asserting that she had been working to enhance the city’s management of homelessness funds. The press conference concluded with Raman's team indicating she had to leave for a scheduled meeting.