The Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) National Political Committee voted to delay a decision on whether to uphold or rescind the Los Angeles chapter’s endorsement of mayoral candidate Nithya Raman, setting an Oct. 31 meeting to assess her positions on key issues.
The committee also confirmed that if Raman does not provide “clear and unequivocal commitments” by Jan. 1, it may begin a disciplinary process under DSA’s R22 resolution, which requires local chapters to evaluate candidates’ support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel before endorsing them.
Raman’s campaign responded to the DSA’s review in a statement sent Monday, though the full details of her response were not disclosed in the available reporting. The DSA’s review was triggered after some members argued Raman had not taken a sufficiently strong stance on BDS or the Gaza conflict.
Raman’s Political Identity Raises Questions
In a separate interview, Raman described herself as both a capitalist and a democratic socialist, a duality that has drawn scrutiny amid the DSA’s ongoing review. She stated that her focus is on ensuring capitalism operates without harming workers or exacerbating poverty, while also emphasizing the need for effective government intervention.
The Los Angeles County Republican Party Chair Roxanne Hoge criticized Raman’s remarks, asserting that her dual labels reflect confusion and questioning how she could align with an organization advocating policies such as private property expropriation and police abolition.
DSA’s Review Timeline and Demands
The DSA’s National Political Committee has outlined a structured process for evaluating Raman’s positions. If she does not meet the group’s demands by Jan. 1, the committee plans to compile documentation to begin a disciplinary process, which could lead to her expulsion from the organization’s endorsement.
Key demands include:
- Explicit support for BDS
- Condemnation of weapons shipments out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- A commitment to oppose such shipments if elected mayor
The committee’s decision to delay the vote follows an earlier review and reflects ongoing internal deliberations within the DSA. The group has stated that it will work with the DSA-LA chapter to organize the Oct. 31 meeting with Raman to address these concerns directly.