The recently unveiled “Los Angeles Plan,” associated with Nitya Raman’s campaign for mayor, reveals radical proposals from the Democratic Socialists of America, of which she is a member.
This document advocates for disarming the police, phasing out fossil fuels, shutting down prisons, increasing taxes, and decriminalizing drugs. There’s also a strong opposition to the upcoming 2028 Olympics, with intentions to convert golf courses into public housing.
Raman, currently part of the LA City Council alongside two other DSA members, has been vocal in her calls to defund the police. In fact, she opposed a 2022 law that would restrict homeless camps near schools and childcare facilities.
When she surprisingly announced her mayoral run on Saturday, Raman claimed Los Angeles has lost its opportunity for growth and is nearing a crisis.
This year, she stood among just three council members who voted against a police contract that proposed a 14% raise for new officers, arguing that it would hinder the city’s ability to address homelessness and mental health services.
The police union criticized Raman, warning that backing her democratic socialist agenda could lead to serious issues. They argued she aims to eliminate police presence and unrestricted homeless camping—calling it a dangerous scenario.
Further demands in the DSA plan include training community volunteers against ICE raids, reducing police personnel, closing the men’s central prison, setting up drug injection sites, and eliminating fares on public transportation.
Interestingly, Raman’s group claimed an unfounded link between local colonial-settler violence and Palestinian issues.
Raman’s political journey began in 2020 as a council member for District 4, which encompasses areas from the San Fernando Valley to the Santa Monica Mountains. Back in June 2020, she made posts advocating for police funding to be redirected towards social services and housing.
Her former opponent, Susan Collins, pointed out that the neighborhood has seen a rise in crime, which prompted her to sell her home after 17 years. She expressed concerns that if Raman wins, more residents would leave, making the city increasingly unlivable.
Other women’s rights activists, like Tish Hyman, have confronted Raman during her campaign, raising pointed questions—such as defining “what a woman is”—to which she didn’t reply.
Raman’s entry into the race coincides with ongoing scrutiny surrounding current Mayor Karen Bass, especially after a controversy regarding the city’s handling of a major fire report. Prediction markets currently estimate her likelihood of winning at around 34%, placing her close behind Bass and ahead of other potential candidates.
Her candidacy emerged shortly after County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s resignation and follows the announcement from billionaire developer Rick Caruso that he wouldn’t pursue the mayoral race after all.
