Voters have cast their ballots to decide the next California governor, Los Angeles' next mayor, whether or not to pass 14 statewide propositions and more.
Democrat Xavier Becerra was quickly projected to win in the governor's race over Republican Steve Hilton after the polls closed on Election Day.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass conceded to Councilmember Nithya Raman in the L.A. mayoral election on Thursday, as the Associated Press also projected that Raman was the winner.
Here are live updates and everything you need to know about the midterm elections.
Mayor-elect Nithya Raman pledged to tackle homelessness, housing costs and public safety while vowing to earn the trust of all Angelenos in delivered remarks after her victory in the L.A. mayor's race.
Raman held a press conference Thursday evening at the Original Farmers Market in the Fairfax district where she thanked volunteers and promised to deliver on her campaign promises.
"The key priorities that we've heard across this entire city are: homelessness, housing costs, public safety and economic development. These are the issues that are the four top issues on the mind across every neighborhood," Raman said. "These will have to be the priorities that I take on in City Hall."
"My goal is to make sure that we're doing the work to actually have a City Hall that is capable of delivering on the promises that I made during the campaign" Raman continued.
"This city has given me and my family so much. And at a time when in the federal government, over the past two years, we've seen a country that has rejected immigrants… this city has opened its arms to people to come and build their dreams here. And the idea that Angelenos voted for an immigrant to be their next mayor, at this moment in American history, is so deeply moving to me. And I want to tell every single Angeleno out there, I am going to work so hard… to earn your trust."
Raman was asked about LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, whom she had said during her campaign had intentions of firing.
"I have spoken to leadership at LAPD already, in fact, I'm speaking to Chief McDonnell, I spoke to him earlier today and it was one of the first calls that I made because public safety is the most important service that the city is delivering to its people… and I want to make sure that whatever happens over this transition that we are prepared to deliver that service at the level that Angelenos expect when I take office in mid-December and I know Chief McDonnell is committed to that, I'm committed to that, and we'll continue those discussions."
In Thursday's remarks, Raman praised Bass and promised a smooth transition, saying: "We also committed to working together on the smoothest possible transition for Angelenos. We love this city. We want to make it an incredible, incredible place into the future."
The new Mayor-elect of Los Angeles, Nithya Raman, posted a video on social media shortly after her victory was projected on Thursday, thanking her supporters while also paying tribute to Karen Bass.
"Los Angeles, I am deeply honored to be your next mayor. Thank you to the thousands of people who knocked on doors, sent texts, made phone calls, convinced their neighbors to believe in the promise of this big, beautiful, joyful city that we get to call home," Raman said.
She continued, thanking Bass for her decades of public service.
"I also wanted to pay tribute to Mayor Karen Bass. Someone who has given decades of her life to making this city what it is today. From her time as an emergency room nurse, to starting community coalition, to her leadership in Sacramento and DC, and then becoming the first woman mayor of Los Angeles. She has served Los Angeles for so many decades and I know so many people not just across this city but across this country are grateful for her dedication to the promise of Los Angeles," Raman said.
Raman said she is committed to working every day to gain the trust of not only those who voted for Bass, but also those who didn't vote in the mayoral election at all.
"To every voter out there who voted for Mayor Bass or chose not to vote in this election at all. Please know this: I am going to City Hall to work every single day to earn your trust and to earn your trust in this city again. And that work starts now so that we can build housing that people can afford, parks for our children to play in, a transit system that can get people where they need to go, a city that is safe for its working people and its families and a city government that is capable of delivering on its promises," Raman said. "I love this city and its people and I cannot wait to get started on building a better future together with all of you. Thank you so much, Los Angeles."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Thursday conceded to Councilmember Nithya Raman in the L.A. mayoral election.
"Los Angeles I am deeply honored to be your next mayor," Raman said in a video released shortly after the incumbent mayor's concession. "Thank you to the thousands of people who knocked on doors, sent texts, made phone calls, convinced their neighbors to believe in the promise of this big, beautiful, joyful city that we get to call home."
Bass released a written statement in which she thanked her "supporters, volunteers, brothers and sisters in labor, community and faith leaders, business leaders and elected officials, and the young people who brought so much energy to this effort."
"While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the people of Los Angeles have spoken," Bass said. "I have called Councilmember Nithya Raman to congratulate her on her victory, and I have committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition. Moving this city forward is what Los Angeles needs from all of us."
Raman's victory has implications beyond the city limits, with Los Angeles preparing to host the 2028 Olympic Games.
Nationally, Raman's election as mayor places her in the vanguard of democratic socialists in municipal government. In addition to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Janeese Lewis George was elected Tuesday as mayor of Washington, D.C., after running practically unopposed, and Katie Wilson is mayor in Seattle.
"To every voter out there who voted for Mayor Bass or chose not to vote in this election at all, please know this: I am going to city hall to work every single day to earn your trust and to earn your trust in this city again," Raman said in her video statement, which was delivered from a hillside outlook with downtown L.A. visible in a vast panorama behind her. "That work starts now, so that we can build housing that people can afford, parks for our children to play in, a transit system that can get people where they need to go, a city that is safe for its working people and its families and a city government that is capable of delivering on its promises."
Bass was backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with nearly every member of the city council, including several aligned with the democratic socialists.
Raman, an urban planner, picked up notable support from advocacy and political groups, including Our Revolution, which was founded by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and the Sierra Club.
Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman's lead over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass continues to widen according to the latest L.A. mayoral race results. The latest ballot totals dropped around 9:30 a.m.
Raman sits at 429,450 votes, while Bass sits at 394,796, with 76% of the expected vote in.
With the latest count, Raman is now ahead of Bass by nearly 35,000 votes.
Still, the race is too close to call.
Another round of election results is expected to be dropped at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
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