Full Breakdown
Nithya Raman’s Policy Reversals Shape the Los Angeles Mayoral Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a 2020 council entrant and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member, has repeatedly altered positions on key issues—police staffing, homeless-encampment bans, the “mansion tax” (Measure ULA), and the Inside Safe program—while campaigning against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. These shifts have become focal points for opponents and voters alike.
Background & Context
Since joining the council in 2020, Raman voted more than 60 times to block bans on homeless encampments near schools, parks and other public sites. She initially championed police defunding and supported a real-estate “mansion tax” that she later described as harmful to housing production. After announcing her mayoral bid, Raman signaled willingness to allow new no-camping zones and to maintain LAPD staffing levels. Bass, first elected mayor in 2022, has promoted the Inside Safe program that moves encampments into temporary shelters.
Data & Statistics
- Raman voted for a nearly 3 % increase in LAPD spending, adding $82 million.
- She supported three city budgets that funded Inside Safe, totaling $300 million in 2023.
- A LAHSA count showed overall homelessness rising 3.4 % last year, with street homelessness up 7.9 %.
- Raman’s district reported an 81 % repopulation rate of sites moved under Inside Safe.
- Recent polls show Raman leading Bass by double-digit points in some surveys, while other polls place the race within the margin of error.
Official Statements & Responses
Raman argues that the city must keep LAPD staffing stable, saying reductions would jeopardize essential services. Bass counters that the Inside Safe program has already moved more than 6,000 people into interim housing and credits her administration for a citywide focus on homelessness. Bass also defended her 2025 trip abroad during the Palisades fire, calling it a mistake but pledging to rebuild confidence.
Criticism & Opposition
Councilmember Traci Park (June 2) accused Raman of tailoring positions to appeal to moderate voters, questioning her consistency. Labor leader Ernesto Medrano said Raman promised to consult building-trade leaders before altering Measure ULA but failed to do so. Bass campaign strategist Monica Rodriguez asserted that Raman’s criticism of the mansion tax ignored its original intent to fund affordable housing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Raman claims Inside Safe has been ineffective, citing the 81 % site repopulation figure, while Bass’s team points to the program’s role in reducing street homelessness in Raman’s own district.
- Homeless-count data show a citywide rise, yet Bass emphasizes a 17.5 % drop reported in 2023, creating uncertainty about the program’s overall impact.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can’t address a housing crisis with a policy that worsens our housing shortage,” — Nithya Raman
- “My thinking has changed on this issue,” — Nithya Raman
- “One day she’s yes, the other day she’s no,” — Councilmember Heather Hutt
- “She said that she would come to us, but she never did,” — Ernesto Medrano
What’s Next
A televised, commercial-free debate hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 is scheduled for the upcoming week, giving both candidates a final platform before the election. Voter registration closes mid-October, and mail-in ballots are being mailed to all registered voters.
