Raman, who serves as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, secured a small victory on Friday when the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released its annual point-in-time homelessness count. The data showed citywide street homelessness increased nearly 8% compared to the previous year, while it declined 49% in Raman’s own district.
“She got homelessness down in her district by treating each encampment as an emergency to be solved and going from person to person in that encampment, saying, ‘What do you need?’” said Adam Conover, a comedian and television host who met Raman when he volunteered for SELAH.
Homelessness could be the issue that gets Raman elected, but instead of neutralizing one of her biggest liabilities, Raman has stood by her opposition to a ban on homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools, opening herself up to attacks from Bass and Pratt.
“We look forward to winning a contest against an opponent who allows encampments near schools and fights against hiring more cops,” said Alex Stack, a campaign spokesperson for Bass, in a statement issued the day before Raman secured her spot in November’s runoff.
Raman’s break with Karen Bass might have been even more dramatic than her split from the DSA. Bass supported Raman during her 2024 city council campaign, and shortly before she entered the race, Raman endorsed Bass for reelection. The two women governed as allies through much of Bass’s first term, making Raman’s decision to challenge the incumbent all the more startling.
The mayor was given no indication from Raman that a challenge was coming, according to her campaign. Bass’s team alleges that she found out Raman was running from a reporter. Armed with that information, Bass called Raman on February 7, the last day candidates could enter the race, and asked the councilmember whether she intended to mount a challenge. Bass’s campaign says Raman “largely waffled on the call.” Raman entered the race hours later.
Raman told Vanity Fair she called Bass the morning of the filing deadline to let her know she was running. The following day, Bass invited Raman to her home for a private conversation, which had not previously been reported. “I didn’t want to move forward without having a conversation with her,” Raman told me. “I’m grateful that she made the time for me.”
