LA set to mirror NY with socialist supreme leader but Dems have big problems for 2028

America’s largest city is run by Zohran Mamdani, a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America.Los Angeles, the second-largest metro, could follow: Fellow DSA member Nithya Raman seems poised to become its next mayor.A new California Post poll shows her leading Mayor Karen Bass.If Raman wins, DSA members will hold both mayors’ offices, forcing Democratic Party leaders to ask whether they still run their party, or whether they’re just chasing its socialist wing.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Mamdani and Raman aren’t political twins.

Mamdani has charisma, social media savvy and a talent for political theater; Raman has considerably less star power.What they share is more useful: Opponents that voters can’t stand.Andrew Cuomo entered the final weeks of New York’s 2025 mayoral race with a 55% unfavorable rating in a Marist poll reported by the New York Post.

In LA, a California Post-McLaughlin survey last week found 71.7% disapproved of Bass’ performance.Raman led the race 46.7% to 38.8%, even though 41% identified Raman as the more extreme candidate, compared with 16.4% for Bass.I’ve spent nearly four decades in California politics; I can’t remember an incumbent this weak in LA.Fed-up voters aren’t suddenly converting to socialism; they’re willing to gamble on someone further left because the people in charge have worn out their welcome.

The DSA stands to benefit: its members are winning elections, taking office and — for once — holding the power to turn activist demands into government policy.These aren’t ceremonial jobs: New York’s mayor oversees a budget of more than $100 billion, the nation’s largest police department and the city’s public schools.

The mayor of LA controls a budget of roughly $13 billion...