Democratic socialist candidates in Los Angeles are seeking to expand their influence in City Hall this fall, with mayoral contender Nithya Raman and city attorney hopeful Marissa Roy both advancing from the June 2 primary to the November 3 general election. Both candidates are members of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has gained recent momentum in local politics.

If elected, Raman would join a small but growing number of democratic socialists leading major U.S. cities, such as New York’s Zohran Mamdani and Seattle’s Katie Wilson. Marissa Roy, the front-runner for city attorney, has pledged to transform the office into a large public interest law firm focused on issues like wage theft, tenant harassment, and enforcement of sanctuary city policies. Observers say a DSA mayor and city attorney could create a more ideologically aligned leadership at City Hall, potentially limiting checks between the two offices on matters like land use and public safety.

The DSA’s platform in Los Angeles includes goals such as expanding public transit, strengthening renter protections, raising the minimum wage, and defending immigrant communities. Sean Wakasa, co-chair of DSA-LA, stated that democratic socialism resonates with working-class Americans by offering politics they can identify with. However, these objectives have drawn criticism from business groups and public safety advocates. Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, warned that the candidates’ policies could discourage new housing development, weaken law enforcement, and drive businesses away from the city.

Both Raman and Roy have disputed such characterizations. Roy emphasized that enforcing laws protecting renters, workers, and consumers promotes safety and affordability. Raman echoed a pragmatic approach, stressing that effective government service—such as fixing potholes and maintaining streetlights—is key to earning public trust, regardless of ideology.

Former Los Angeles deputy mayor Rick Cole noted that the DSA label does not mean the candidates fully embrace every aspect of the organization's platform. Cole described Raman as more focused on affordable housing and humane responses to homelessness, while expressing skepticism toward some current policing practices.

In the primary, Raman finished second to incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, with former reality TV personality Spencer Pratt coming in third. Both mayoral campaigns are now competing to attract Pratt’s voters, who tend to be more conservative. The Bass campaign has declined to focus on Raman’s DSA affiliation but criticized her record on policing and homelessness. Notably, several City Council members who belong to the DSA have endorsed Bass, citing her opposition to federal immigration raids as a significant factor.

For city attorney, Roy outperformed her primary opponents and will face John McKinney, a deputy district attorney, in the runoff. McKinney cautioned that Roy’s election would be a regression to a previous era of prosecutorial policies, which some law enforcement officials have called detrimental to public safety.

Overall, the Democratic Socialists of America have secured a strong foothold in Los Angeles politics, with multiple City Council members elected or re-elected and candidates performing well in recent primaries. The outcome of the upcoming November elections will determine whether the DSA’s influence at City Hall continues to grow.