Nithya Raman keeps DSA endorsement by 1 vote in LA mayor race

Nithya Raman survived a last-minute socialist revolt Monday, keeping her Democratic Socialists of America endorsement by a single vote just hours before the Los Angeles mayoral election.

The DSA voted 14–13 to stick with Raman despite a bitter feud over her shifting stance on boycotting Israel, according to the LA Times.

The razor-thin vote spared Raman from losing the powerful grassroots organization that helped launch her political career as she battles incumbent Mayor Karen Bass for control of City Hall.

Raman could still face expulsion from the DSA after the election over her shifting position on Israel and demands she oppose weapons shipments to the country through LAX.

The California Post first reported Oct. 19 that two socialist factions were pushing to expel Raman over her positions on Israel and Palestine, setting off a bitter internal battle that threatened her campaign just two weeks before the election.

The feud escalated on Oct. 26 when the DSA’s National Political Committee voted 14–13 to give Raman until Saturday to clarify her support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, known as BDS, or risk losing the endorsement.

The movement looks to pressure Israel through economic boycotts, withdrawing investments and sanctions over its treatment of Palestinians.

Raman had already made a dramatic shift. In 2020, she said she did not personally support boycott, divestment and sanctions and opposed government agencies participating in boycotts against Israel.

But last week Raman submitted a statement embracing it. She also accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, an allegation Israel rejects.

“I believe the best way for working Angelenos to stand in solidarity with Gaza is through non-violent protest, legislative action, and diplomatic pressure, including BDS,” Raman wrote.

Raman brushed off the socialist infighting as “internal political theater,” insisting it was not a concern for Los Angeles voters.

The showdown erupted over a DSA rule adopted in 2025 requiring local chapters to question candidates about their support for “BDS” before endorsing them.

DSA’s Los Angeles chapter failed to include the question on Raman’s questionnaire, prompting national leaders to challenge her endorsement.

But local socialists refused to abandon their candidate, who secured the chapter’s backing in September by a 937–484 vote.

“We’re relieved that the NPC is honoring the will of our members,” DSA-LA co-chair Leslie Chang said following Monday’s decision.

DSA-LA volunteers have spent weeks knocking on doors and mobilizing voters for Raman, providing grassroots muscle in her closely contested race against Bass.

The Post reached out to Raman for comment.

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