Nithya Raman reveals whether she will work with DSA leftists if she becomes LA mayor

Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman has revealed she would continue working closely with the Democratic Socialists of America if elected.

The city councilwoman outlined how she views the DSA’s controversial “co-governing” process in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, calling the organization a “partner” in her work at City Hall.

“We have a number of groups that we work closely with in government,” Raman told the outlet. “I see the DSA as a partner for a lot of the work that we’ve done.”

Raman pointed specifically to tenant protections she helped pass and charter reform as areas where the socialist organization has played a role.

“They’ve been a strong partner of the tenant protections that I helped pass and were a huge voice for charter reform, including some of the things that didn’t happen,” she said.

Asked what that relationship could look like if she becomes mayor, Raman made clear she has no plans to shut the DSA out.

“I will continue to welcome their partnership and will always work alongside organizations that are active in Los Angeles and are trying to shape the city,” she said, adding that she works with “many, many other organizations” across the city.

Pressed on the DSA’s use of the term “co-governance,” Raman was asked whether she was uncomfortable with the organization endorsing candidates and then expecting those elected representatives to answer to it.

Raman said she was not. “I think it clearly makes the news media uncomfortable, because they report on it all the time,” she said.

“But it doesn’t make me uncomfortable, because I’m responsive to all my constituents, whether I do exactly what they want or not.”

Raman said engaging with constituents and organizations, even when they disagree with her decisions, comes with holding elected office.

“I show up. I engage. Sometimes I make them very happy; sometimes I make them very angry,” she told the Times.

“That’s part of what being an elected representative means.”

Asked directly whether she is still participating in co-governing, Raman responded: “With everyone, with everyone. Yes. With everyone.”

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