government
Why Karen Bass should be concerned after Democratic Socialists' big win in New York
By Alex Rozier and Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
After progressive candidates who ran against the Democratic Party’s establishment-backed incumbents won big in U.S. House primaries in New York Tuesday, political observers and voters in Los Angeles are wondering whether the city’s mayoral election will have a similar outcome in November.
May...
Key takeaway While Bass finished first, receiving 15% more votes compared to Raman, she also became the first mayoral incumbent in decades who failed to win the primary outright.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The outcome of New York's U.S. House primaries has significant implications for Los Angeles' mayoral election, particularly for Mayor Karen Bass. With Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman advancing to the November runoff, Bass' campaign should be concerned about the growing trend of progressive candidates winning in liberal cities. The fact that Bass failed to win the primary outright, despite finishing first, suggests that voters in Los Angeles are also frustrated with the establishment and seeking change. As the city grapples with rising costs of living, Bass' low primary vote tally could be a harbinger of a competitive general election. The city's voters, like those in New York, may be looking for alternative leadership that can address their concerns about affordability and quality of life. As the campaign heats up, it will be crucial to watch how Bass and Raman engage with these issues and respond to voter frustrations.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After progressive candidates who ran against the Democratic Party’s establishment-backed incumbents won big in U.S. House primaries in New York Tuesday, political observers and voters in Los Angeles are wondering whether the city’s mayoral election will have a similar outcome in November.
May...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Rozier and Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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