Nithya Raman can succeed as mayor — but not with socialist policies
Congratulations to Nithya Raman, who achieved the rare feat of defeating an incumbent LA mayor.
Even more remarkable, Raman won without the backing of most of the labor unions, who supported incumbent mayor Karen Bass.
But let’s get real: Bass was so unpopular by the end of her term that almost any candidate could have beaten her.
The only reason it was a close contest at the end is that voters didn’t like what they learned about Raman’s policies.
She and her Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have extreme views that most Angelenos will never accept.
Raman and her politburo can believe whatever nonsense they want in their spare time.
The city has real challenges that demand practical solutions, not protests or grad-school seminars on Marxist theory.
Start with law-and-order.
Raman needs to drop her pledge to fire LAPD chief Jim McConnell.
McConnell has done a fine job. Crime has declined.
The socialists want to punish him for protecting ICE officers from bloodthirsty mobs.
That’s crazy. And turning the LAPD upside-down before the 2028 Olympics would be crazier.
LA already has a shortage of police officers. The last thing the city needs is more LAPD turnover.
Next: Homelessness.
Raman wants to double down on Bass’s failed policy of renting rooms and building shelters — and she wants to let people continue to camp on the street.
That’s a complete non-starter.
The new mayor should follow the example of San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie, who has reduced the number of tents on the street dramatically. Lurie also moved toward funding “recovery-focused residential facilities” that emphasize sobriety.
Third, Raman needs to repair LA’s streets and sidewalks.
It’s absurd that LA can’t repave its streets because of Measure HLA, which requires dramatic infrastructure upgrades every time the city fixes the pavement.
Raman needs to ask voters to repeal Measure HLA.
She should also work to repeal Measure ULA, the so-called “mansion tax.”
Voters passed Measure TE, which exempts the Palisades Fire burn area from Measure ULA taxes.
All of LA needs the same tax break. Measure ULA is a disaster.
And speaking of the Palisades Fire, Raman should offer a reasonable settlement to homeowners, rather than fighting them in court.
She should also overhaul the leadership of LADWP, which failed to prepare for the fire, and is now sending massive bills across the city.
In addition, Raman needs to make sure the city is on pace to welcome the world to the Olympics.
The LAX People Mover, for example, should have been ready by this year’s World Cup. It needs urgent intervention.
Finally, Raman also needs to make sure every Angeleno feels at home.
She has to stop the wave of antisemitism by speaking out against hatred, rather than parroting anti-Israel propaganda.
And she needs to do a better job of reaching out to the many communities that make our city special.
Raman could surprise the skeptics.
But to do that, she will have to disappoint the radical socialists.
We wish her luck.
