Alissa, Mike, and Marco commemorate major progressive victories at the federal, state, and city level, including the election of Nithya Raman as LA mayor. Big winners: LA’s new city attorney Marissa Roy, renters, socialism, a young and energized electorate. Big losers: Airbnb, the LA Police Protective League, the establishment, and people who don’t believe in a better tomorrow.

First things first, we’d like to point out that this podcast has covered mayor-elect Nithya Raman from the very beginning. (Thanks to a loyal Bluesky-er for highlighting!) Keep listening so you too can have your finger on the pulse of LA politics

And while you’re in the archives, revisit Mike’s interviews with winning candidates Nithya Raman, Jane Kim, Marissa Roy, and Sara Hernandez

As votes continue to be counted, you can track election results and see some excellent data viz and preliminary maps here (tag yourself: are you a Multiracial Urban Professional or part of Commie Corridor?)

The Basin is also making excellent charts and maps!

Take a moment to rewind and revisit the scene of election night: Mayor Karen Bass’s speech, Raman’s speech, Alissa’s analysis of their respective party venues, Nancy Pelosi’s last-minute plea to vote for Bass, L.A. Material’s discussion of the after parties…

Early Thursday morning, Bass conceded the race so Raman will be the next mayor (second woman!) of Los Angeles. Her first remarks as mayor-elect: “I love this city!”

Welcome to the holy Raman Empire (California Post trying their best?)

Commentators have clocked in and are working overtime at the take factory. Here are Liam Dillon and Melanie Mason for Politico; Jim Newton for CalMatters. Hear more analysis from David on KPFK and Spectrum News with frequent co-host Kate Cagle, and over at The Intercept with Mike

LA Times writers examine Bass’s allies turning on her, how Raman might remake City Hall, and the boldness of Raman’s victory

Even SNL deigned to look westward, commenting: “LA is always a year behind us on everything”

Airbnb was one of the night’s biggest losers: over $7 million bought them few electoral victories. Can the city charge them late fees and make them take out their trash?

How did your city councilmember react to Raman’s win? And what did Rick Caruso think?

With Raman’s win, there will likely be a special election to fill the seat — but Council President will “discuss an appointment” with her in the meantime

A new era for the city attorney’s office will begin under Marissa Roy, who has already received the most votes of any LA elected, ever, with more to come as she approaches winning nearly 70% of the total vote

CD9 had their highest voter turnout in at least 25 years!

We can look forward to more park funding, a comprehensive infrastructure plan, and much more, as all city ballot measures passed

And looking around the county: Burbank City Council has a socialist majority! Inglewood mayor James Butts and Councilmember Gloria Gray will face off in a runoff election next March. Alhambra becomes the second LA County city to ban data centers. And Jimmy Gomez will not return to Congress

A reminder you can find us on YouTube, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Threads, and Instagram

Thank you to Sophie Bridges for producing and to digital producer Bianca Cockrell

The reporting and analysis you hear in the show is put together by our rotating cast of producers and co-hosts every week. All opinions expressed on the show are solely those of co-hosts and may not represent the views of LA Forward

Alissa Walker writes the newsletter Torched, tracking LA’s megaevent progress. Find her at @awalkerinla on Instagram and @awalkerinla.bsky.social on Bluesky

Mike Bonin is the executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at CalState LA, and can be found at @mikebonin on Instagram and @mikebonin.bsky.social on Bluesky

Marco Santana brings over a decade of leadership to the LA homelessness services sector and is a former candidate and active leader within local Democratic party politics. He’s at @Marco4LA on Instagram

Episode 670: Condom Rocket with Richie and Sammy

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