Story perspectives

Berkeley Poll Shows Nithya Raman Leading Karen Bass

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 4:13 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Prediction Market Odds

A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released September 23, 2026 shows Councilmember Nithya Raman leading Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
Prediction-market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket price Raman’s runoff odds at roughly 57-58%, ahead of Bass’s 42-43%.
The Berkeley poll reports 33% of likely voters remain undecided.
Raman was endorsed by Writers Guild of America West PAC and Democratic Socialists of America.

Right

Low Council Attendance

A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released September 23, 2026 shows City Councilmember Nithya Raman leading Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
Critics cite Raman’s low council attendance and a “No Show Nithya” site; she says she isn’t anti-police and backs President Donald Trump’s film-tax credit.
Bass’s campaign called poll an outlier.
Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted Raman for a Q&A on policing.
Raman said city government should work more efficiently.

Blindspot

Critics, citing a “No Show Nithya” website, said City Councilmember Nithya Raman missed thousands of votes and had low attendance at council meetings.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

When Tom Bradley retired in 1993, the open mayoral race let businessman Richard Riordan win with 54 % of the vote, becoming the city’s first Republican mayor in 36 years. That upset showed how outsider campaigns can break long-standing party dominance. The 2026 contest repeats the pattern: councilmember Nithya Raman, backed by the DSA, now faces incumbent Karen Bass in a November 3 runoff.

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Prediction Market Odds

A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released September 23, 2026 shows Councilmember Nithya Raman leading Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
Prediction-market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket price Raman’s runoff odds at roughly 57-58%, ahead of Bass’s 42-43%.
The Berkeley poll reports 33% of likely voters remain undecided.
Raman was endorsed by Writers Guild of America West PAC and Democratic Socialists of America.

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