DSA National Leadership Delays Decision on Rescinding L.A. Mayor Endorsement for Nithya Raman
National leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America have postponed a final decision on whether to uphold or rescind the Los Angeles chapter’s endorsement of Nithya Raman in the city’s mayoral race. The delay stems from concerns among national committee members that the candidate has not taken a sufficiently firm stance against Israel.
The organization’s National Political Committee initiated a review of the local endorsement after members noted that Raman had not been formally questioned about “R22,” an internal national DSA resolution. That mandate requires local chapters to inquire about a candidate’s support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel prior to issuing an endorsement.
Following meetings last week and on Monday, the national committee voted to collaborate with the Los Angeles chapter to organize an October 31 meeting with Raman. The session is intended to evaluate her position on the BDS movement and other matters concerning the Gaza conflict. A committee spokesperson confirmed that if Raman fails to offer clear commitments during the meeting, the national body will proceed with a vote on rescinding the local chapter’s endorsement.
Furthermore, the national committee outlined additional conditions should Raman win the November 3 election. The group is demanding a commitment from her to oppose military weapons shipments leaving for Israel out of Los Angeles International Airport. According to an approved committee resolution, if Raman does not express support for BDS and condemn the weapon shipments by January 1, the National Political Committee will compile documentation to initiate a disciplinary process under R22. That process could ultimately lead to a vote on expelling Raman from the organization.
During Monday’s national committee meeting, the Raman campaign submitted a written statement to the DSA addressing her position. In the statement, Raman noted that she believes non-violent protest, legislative action, and diplomatic pressure—including BDS—represent the most effective methods for working Angelenos to stand in solidarity with Gaza. However, the campaign declined to clarify whether Raman personally supports the BDS movement, directing inquiries back to her written statement and prior remarks while emphasizing that she does not intend to incorporate BDS into her mayoral platform.
The national committee’s review has created friction within the organization. Some local members expressed frustration with the push to revoke the endorsement, while others defended the candidate. Clayton Ryles, a Los Angeles chapter member serving on the 27-person national committee who supported the initial local endorsement, indicated he plans to vote against rescinding the backing. While describing the national intervention as unnecessary, Ryles noted encouragement that Raman has expressed support for Palestinian priorities and compliance with R22, though acknowledging internal divisions.
A reversal by the national organization would constitute a substantial intervention into local chapter affairs, effectively overturning a democratic endorsement vote by DSA-LA members that passed 937 to 484 in September.
Leadership of the Los Angeles chapter conceded that they omitted the specific BDS question from their candidate questionnaire, attributing the omission to an administrative oversight while noting that broader questions regarding Palestine were raised during both the questionnaire phase and candidate interviews. Leslie Chang and Sean Wakasa, co-chairs of DSA-LA, addressed the issue in an email to members. Chang subsequently expressed disappointment that national committee members advanced resolutions without reviewing materials submitted by the local chapter that addressed the questions raised in the national directives, emphasizing that the chapter’s focus remains on electing its slate and advocating for working Angelenos in the final days of the election.
