---
title: "Nithya Raman Leads Karen Bass by 11 Points in LA Mayoral Poll"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-by-11-points-in-la-mayoral-poll"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-by-11-points-in-la-mayoral-poll"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-by-11-points-in-la-mayoral-poll.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-by-11-points-in-la-mayoral-poll"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-24T00:45:56.111Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-24T00:41:25.776Z"
updated: "2026-09-24T00:45:56.111Z"
trust_score: 86
critic_score: 95
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-24T02:41:15.375Z"
---

# Nithya Raman Leads Karen Bass by 11 Points in LA Mayoral Poll

*A new poll shows Nithya Raman with 39% support compared to Karen Bass's 28%, with a significant portion of voters undecided.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Named poll director cited, poll data quoted, and 27 outlets independently report the same 39%‑28% lead.
- Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from both candidates, clear figures, context on undecided voters, and next steps noted.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use sensational language, but bodies present only poll numbers.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Nithya Raman leads Karen Bass 39% to 28% in a poll of 2,100 likely Los Angeles voters.
- 33% of likely voters remain undecided, according to the Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll.
- Karen Bass has a 63% unfavorable rating, while Nithya Raman has a 40% favorable rating.
- The poll was conducted between September 15 and September 20, 2026.

A poll conducted between September 15 and September 20, 2026, shows City Councilmember Nithya Raman with 39% support among likely Los Angeles voters, leading Mayor Karen Bass, who has 28% support. The Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll of 2,100 likely voters also found that 33% of respondents were undecided.

Poll director Mark DiCamillo of UC Berkeley stated that the high number of undecided voters keeps the race competitive. The poll also indicated that Karen Bass has a 63% unfavorable rating among likely voters, with 28% viewing her favorably. Nithya Raman had a 40% favorable rating and a 39% unfavorable rating.

## Bass Campaign Criticizes Poll

The campaign for Mayor Karen Bass questioned the poll's findings, with a spokesperson stating that similar online polls have struggled to accurately represent the electorate. The campaign pointed to other recent polls that showed a closer race and suggested the Berkeley IGS poll had underestimated Bass's support in the primary.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated reports below mention the specific unfavorable rating for Nithya Raman, which was 39% according to the poll. None of the centre-rated reports below mention the specific favorable rating for Nithya Raman, which was 40% according to the poll.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 33 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 12% (4)
- Centre: 42% (14)
- Right: 46% (15)

2 of 35 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-24T02:41:15.375Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-24T02:45:19.865Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Reports from the left led with Nithya Raman's lead over Karen Bass. La Opinion noted Raman's "amplia ventaja" (wide advantage) and quoted poll director Mark DiCamillo saying Raman "tiene claramente la ventaja" (clearly has the advantage). USA Today and Los Angeles Times also highlighted Raman's lead, with the latter noting it was a "big lead" but also a "big caveat."

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the poll results showing Nithya Raman leading Karen Bass. Many digests, such as KAKE News and The Daily Breeze, reported that Bass had fallen behind her opponent by 11 percentage points. Several reports, including those from dailymail.com and Political Wire, mentioned Raman's lead and the significant number of undecided voters. The campaign's criticism of the poll was also a common theme, appearing in reports from Daily Breeze, MyNewsLA.com, and Spectrum Local News.

### Right

- Right-rated reports frequently highlighted the poll results, often framing them with phrases like "blockbuster poll" or "massive swing." Next News Network and Fox News used headlines that emphasized Raman's surge ahead of Bass. Several reports, including those from The Daily Courier and WVII/Fox Bangor, stated that Bass had fallen behind Raman by 11 percentage points. Twitchy's headline read "RIP What’s Left of LA," suggesting a political shift. Some reports, such as from Next News Network and New York Post, mentioned Spencer Pratt in relation to the poll results.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 3
- mixed: 8
- high: 12
- unknown: 2
- veryHigh: 10

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Next News Network](https://nextnewsnetwork.com/2026/09/24/blockbuster-poll-nithya-raman-surges-ahead-of-karen-bass-in-la-race-muesif4q) — BLOCKBUSTER POLL: Nithya Raman SURGES Ahead of Karen Bass in L.A. Race!
- [abc 7 LA](https://abc7.com/post/councilmember-nithya-raman-opens-lead-mayor-karen-bass-la-mayoral-race-new-poll-shows/19862233) — Nithya Raman opens big lead over Karen Bass in LA mayoral race, new poll shows
- [thedailybs.com](https://thedailybs.com/2026/09/23/poll-los-angeles-mayor-behind-general-election-opponent) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent - The Daily Bo Snerdley
- [KAKE News](https://kake.com/poll-los-angeles-mayor-behind-general-election-opponent/article_088c1ade-1177-5772-987d-33166349ddda.html) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent
- [The Daily Courier](https://thedigitalcourier.com/news/national/poll-los-angeles-mayor-behind-general-election-opponent/article_2863ce5f-6cb3-5665-864d-4b6f0662fb34.html) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent
- [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/wire/poll-los-angeles-mayor-behind-general-election-opponent/article_399f307d-bced-5e40-80be-c6e7fd8a7f56.html) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent
- [WVII / Fox Bangor](https://foxbangor.com/news/national/poll-los-angeles-mayor-behind-general-election-opponent/article_c5e19e73-31ff-5b03-8677-d1548fd10711.html) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent
- [The Elkhart Truth](https://elkharttruth.com/news/national/poll-los-angeles-mayor-behind-general-election-opponent/article_a6312eff-9019-5555-b0ca-4a73b2289ce8.html) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent
- [charitonleader.com](https://charitonleader.com/news/national/article_8a8eb0b0-c58e-5bc5-af73-b84fbd7f7926.html) — Poll: Los Angeles mayor behind general election opponent
- [wfmd.com](https://wfmd.com/2026/09/23/spencer-pratt-warns-good-luck-la-after-new-poll-vindicates-his-stunning-prediction) — Spencer Pratt warns ‘good luck LA’ after new poll vindicates his stunning prediction
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16154679/LA-candidate-Nithya-Raman-huge-lead-Karen-Bass-poll-mayor-election.html) — Wokest LA mayoral hopeful opens up huge lead in latest poll
- [nytimespost.com](https://nytimespost.com/spencer-pratt-warns-good-luck-la-after-new-poll-vindicates-his-stunning-prediction) — Spencer Pratt warns 'good luck LA' after new poll vindicates his stunning prediction - NEW YORK TIMES POST
- [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/politics/spencer-pratt-warns-good-luck-la-new-poll-vindicates-stunning-prediction) — Spencer Pratt warns 'good luck LA' after new poll vindicates his stunning prediction
- [Daily Breeze](https://dailybreeze.com/2026/09/23/mayor-karen-bass-campaign-criticizes-poll-that-has-nithya-raman-far-ahead) — Mayor Karen Bass’ campaign criticizes poll that has Nithya Raman far ahead
- [Twitchy](https://twitchy.com/justmindy/2026/09/23/la-mayor-race-nithia-bass-change-in-lead-n2432640) — RIP What’s Left of LA: Nithya Raman Takes the Lead Over Karen Bass
- [Telemundo 52](https://telemundo52.com/elecciones-locales-california/encuesta-nithya-raman-karen-bass-alcaldia-los-angeles/2898341) — New Survey Shows Nithya Raman's Advantage over Karen Bass
- [MyNewsLA.com](https://mynewsla.com/government/2026/09/23/bass-campaign-criticizes-poll-showing-raman-leading-mayoral-race) — Karen Bass' Campaign Criticizes Poll Showing Raman Leading
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6106533-raman-leads-bass-poll) — Bass trails Raman in Los Angeles mayor’s race: Poll
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/23/nithya-raman-grabs-lead-for-los-angeles-mayor) — Nithya Raman Grabs Lead for Los Angeles Mayor
- [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/4739324/karen-bass-trail-nithya-raman-la-mayor-poll-unusual-one-third-undecided) — Bass trailing progressive rival by double digits in LA mayoral poll
- [La Opinion](https://laopinion.com/2026/09/23/raman-aventaja-a-bass-en-encuesta-por-la-alcaldia-de-los-angeles) — Raman Is Ahead of Bass in a Poll by the City of Los Angeles - La Opinión
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-in-new-los-angeles-mayors-race-poll) — Nithya Raman Leads Karen Bass in New Los Angeles Mayor’s Race Poll
- [Westside Current](https://westsidecurrent.com/elections/westside-voters-nearly-split-in-bass-raman-race-with-councilwoman-leading-citywide-in-new-poll/article_4b89afe4-e570-408d-afca-5eb93b5f88de.html) — Westside Voters Nearly Split in Bass-Raman Race, With Councilwoman Leading Citywide in New Poll
- [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/state/california/los-angeles/2026/09/23/nithya-raman-leads-over-karen-bass-la-mayor-race-poll/91903015007) — LA mayor race poll shows incumbent Bass trailing behind Raman
- [Greenville Online](https://greenvilleonline.com/story/news/state/california/los-angeles/2026/09/23/nithya-raman-leads-over-karen-bass-la-mayor-race-poll/91903015007) — LA mayor race poll shows incumbent Bass trailing behind Raman
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/23/us-news/nithya-raman-dominates-karen-bass-in-new-la-mayors-race-poll) — Massive swing rocks LA mayor’s race as concerning poll released
- [kabc.com](https://kabc.com/2026/09/23/new-poll-shows-raman-has-big-lead-over-mayor-bass) — New Poll Shows Raman Has Big Lead Over Mayor Bass
- [ksfo.com](https://ksfo.com/2026/09/23/new-poll-shows-raman-has-big-lead-over-mayor-bass) — New Poll Shows Raman Has Big Lead Over Mayor Bass
- [The National Desk](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/la-city-councilmember-nithya-raman-takes-lead-over-karen-bass-in-mayoral-race-los-angeles-spencer-pratt) — Democratic Socialists of America LA mayoral candidate takes lead against incumbent Bass
- [WJAR](https://turnto10.com/news/nation-world/la-city-councilmember-nithya-raman-takes-lead-over-karen-bass-in-mayoral-race-los-angeles-spencer-pratt) — Democratic Socialists of America LA mayoral candidate takes lead against incumbent Bass
- [KTLA 5](https://ktla.com/news/local-news/raman-opens-wide-lead-over-bass-in-los-angeles-mayors-race-poll-shows) — Raman opens wide lead over Bass in Los Angeles mayor’s race, poll shows
- [Spectrum Local News](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/california/politics/2026/09/23/bass--campaign-criticizes-poll-showing-raman-leading-mayoral-race) — Bass' campaign criticizes poll showing Raman leading mayoral race
- [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-23/raman-takes-big-lead-over-bass-in-latest-poll-for-la-mayors-race) — Raman takes big lead over Bass in latest poll for L.A. mayor's race
- [NBC LA](https://nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/nithya-raman-karen-bass-la-mayor-election-polls/3946109) — Nithya Raman holds lead over Karen Bass in new poll on LA mayor election
- [Fox 11 LA](https://foxla.com/news/raman-leads-bass-la-mayor-poll) — Nithya Raman surges to 11-point lead over Karen Bass in LA mayoral poll

## Questions

**What are the latest poll numbers for the Los Angeles mayoral race?**

A poll conducted between September 15 and September 20, 2026, shows Nithya Raman with 39% support and Karen Bass with 28% support among likely voters. A significant 33% of voters remain undecided.

**What are the favorability ratings for Nithya Raman and Karen Bass?**

The poll indicates Karen Bass has a 63% unfavorable rating and a 28% favorable rating. Nithya Raman has a 40% favorable rating and a 39% unfavorable rating among likely voters.

**How has the Karen Bass campaign responded to the poll results?**

The Bass campaign has criticized the poll, suggesting that online surveys can misrepresent the electorate. They have pointed to other polls showing a closer race and stated that the poll underestimated Bass's support in the primary election.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-by-11-points-in-la-mayoral-poll. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Nithya Raman Leads Karen Bass by 11 Points in LA Mayoral Poll", https://mediabias.news/politics/nithya-raman-leads-karen-bass-by-11-points-in-la-mayoral-poll