Los Angeles' moderate Democratic coalition fractures as Bass faces progressive challengers
By
Jenny Jarvie
If you only eat one bagel today, this is the bagel.
Summary
The article examines the fracturing of Los Angeles politics as Mayor Karen Bass faces reelection challenges. It traces the decline of the moderate Democratic coalition that has dominated L.A. politics since Tom Bradley's historic 1973 election as the city's first Black mayor. Bass is struggling to unite her traditional base while facing attacks from progressive challengers like Councilwoman Nithya Raman of the Democratic Socialists of America. The piece explores how dissatisfaction, frayed alliances, and generational conflict are reshaping the city's political landscape, with younger, more progressive voices challenging the long-standing centrist establishment.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledIn 1973, Tom Bradley became L.A.'s first Black mayor by assembling Black, Jewish, white and Latino liberals into a coalition that ended decades of conservative white rule at City Hall.
Bradley's election transformed Los Angeles politics and began what has been, for the most part, a 50-year reign of moderate Democrats.
Year after year, the election map has changed, but liberal centrists have usually remained on top.
But as Mayor Karen Bass seeks reelection, she is struggling to unite her traditional base as she faces attacks from Democratic Socialists of America Councilwoman Nithya Raman.
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