Raman Projected to Unseat Bass in Los Angeles Mayor's Race

HotAir's Ed Morrissey writes that City Councilmember Nithya Raman, whom he describes as a Democratic Socialist, is projected to unseat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a fellow Democrat, and he criticizes both candidates.

Key points

• The call: Decision Desk HQ, which partners with Ballotpedia, projected a Raman win on election night, before NBC News had called the race. Raman was ahead by over three percent with close to three-quarters of the expected vote in, The Hollywood Reporter said.
• Count timing: The full tally could take a week or more, since mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if they arrive by early next week.
• Hollywood support: The Hollywood Reporter notes Raman, born in India, would become the first Asian American mayor of the city, with donors such as Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, Cord Jefferson and Mike Schur.
• Housing record: On the council, Raman backed Measure ULA, the so-called "Mansion Tax," then criticized its effects on apartment construction and pushed for changes.
• Primary field: Morrissey says California's all-candidate primary left voters few options, with reality TV figure Spencer Pratt, whose home burned in the Palisades fire, the only other choice.

Quick take

Morrissey argues Los Angeles voters were left with a poor choice between two candidates on the left. He faults the state's primary system, along with Republicans and moderate Democrats for staying out, and relays one resident's question about where Rick Caruso was. He expects little improvement for the city.

Read the full story at HotAir.