Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman says she would maintain a close working relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America if voters elect her mayor.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the City Council member discussed the DSA’s controversial “co-governing” approach and described the organization as a partner in her work at City Hall.
“We have a number of groups that we work closely with in government,” Raman told the newspaper. “I see the DSA as a partner for a lot of the work that we’ve done.”
She cited tenant protections and charter reform as two areas in which the socialist organization has helped shape her efforts.
“They’ve been a strong partner of the tenant protections that I helped pass and were a huge voice for charter reform, including some of the things that didn’t happen,” Raman said.
When asked how the relationship might change if she becomes mayor, Raman made clear that she does not intend to exclude the DSA from city government.
“I will continue to welcome their partnership and will always work alongside organizations that are active in Los Angeles and are trying to shape the city,” she said. Raman added that she also works with “many, many other organizations” throughout Los Angeles.
The Times then pressed Raman on the DSA’s use of “co-governance,” asking whether she was uneasy about the group endorsing candidates and later expecting elected officials to remain accountable to the organization.
Raman said she was not. “I think it clearly makes the news media uncomfortable, because they report on it all the time,” she said.
“But it doesn’t make me uncomfortable, because I’m responsive to all my constituents, whether I do exactly what they want or not.”
Raman said listening to constituents and community organizations—even when they oppose her decisions—is a fundamental responsibility of elected office.
“I show up. I engage. Sometimes I make them very happy; sometimes I make them very angry,” she told the Times.
“That’s part of what being an elected representative means.”
Asked plainly whether she continues to participate in co-governing, Raman replied: “With everyone, with everyone. Yes. With everyone.”
