City Council progressives snub Raman, endorse Bass in L.A. mayor's race

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Three members of the Los Angeles City Council’s progressive bloc are throwing their support to Mayor Karen Bass in her bid for reelection, dealing a blow to challenger Nithya Raman, their progressive ally on the council.The council members endorsing Bass — Eunisses Hernandez, Ysabel Jurado and Hugo Soto-Martínez — are all members of the Democratic Socialists of America, as is Raman.

The four routinely cast dissenting council votes on increased police spending and creation of new anti-encampment zones in the city.Hernandez and Jurado planned to announce their endorsements of Bass on Tuesday, with each citing Bass’ handling of the Trump administration’s immigration raids over the summer and her work to reduce homelessness as significant reasons for their support of the mayor.“When immigrant communities across our city came under attack, Karen Bass stood up and spoke out.

She showed real leadership and conviction,” Hernandez, who represents a district running from Pico-Union to Highland Park, said in a statement.Soto-Martínez, who endorsed Bass earlier this year, joined his DSA colleagues with a statement saying he was caught off-guard by Raman’s surprise decision to challenge Bass, which she announced just before the filing period closed.“Even when we disagree, I’ve never doubted Mayor Bass and her long-standing commitment to the community,” Soto-Martínez said.

Raman herself endorsed the mayor’s reelection bid two weeks before jumping into the race.Raman said later that her endorsement of the mayor actually came months before it was officially announced.Despite being part of the progressive bloc, Raman has tacked more centrist as she runs for citywide office.

She now states that that the LAPD should maintain its current sworn officer strength, and said that if elected mayor she wouldn’t block council members from enacting anti-encampment zones in the...