Nithya Raman’s entry into the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race represents the arrival of Mamdani-style socialism to the mainstream of California politics. As a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and a current LA City Council member, Raman has positioned herself as a true progressive challenger to incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, criticizing her on housing affordability and city services. But in pursuing the mayoralty, Raman risks turning LA into another experiment in