Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed supporters at the Loews Hollywood Hotel on November 3, 2026, before a shift in election results led to her concession to Councilmember Nithya Raman two days later.
Hollywood, CA — November 5, 2026 — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined supporters, Democratic Party leaders and community members at the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s election-night gathering at the Loews Hollywood Hotel on Tuesday, November 3, as voters awaited the outcome of one of the city’s most closely watched political contests.
The event brought together Democratic supporters following a busy Election Day across Los Angeles County and the United States. Bass took the stage as early election returns showed her holding a narrow lead over Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who was challenging the incumbent mayor for another four-year term.
Presence News photographer Oscar Bracho of Bracho Media attended the Hollywood gathering, documenting the mayor’s remarks and the atmosphere surrounding election night.
Bass Addresses Supporters as Early Results Show Narrow Lead
Shortly after 10 p.m. on election night, preliminary results showed Bass receiving approximately 50.7% of the vote compared with Raman’s 49.3%, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times.
Speaking to attendees, Bass thanked supporters and campaign volunteers for their work throughout the election season while expressing confidence that her campaign could ultimately prevail.
She also acknowledged that additional ballots would need to be processed before the outcome could be determined.
The audience responded enthusiastically, with supporters chanting “four more years” as Bass discussed her campaign and the city’s future.
The gathering reflected a moment of optimism among supporters, even as the close early results indicated that the mayoral contest remained competitive.
Bass also addressed the broader political landscape, with Democrats across the country following election results in congressional, statewide and local races.
Election Results Shift Toward Nithya Raman
Despite Bass’s early advantage, the election took a different direction as additional ballots were counted.
Over the following two days, Raman moved ahead of Bass and expanded her lead in the mayoral contest.
By Thursday, November 5, updated figures from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk showed Raman receiving 429,450 votes, representing approximately 52.1% of ballots counted, compared with Bass’s 394,796 votes, or 47.9%.
The difference represented a lead of 34,654 votes for Raman, according to figures reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.
The changing results demonstrated how preliminary election-night returns can differ significantly from later totals as election officials continue processing ballots.
Karen Bass Concedes on November 5
On Thursday, November 5, Bass conceded the election and announced that she had contacted Raman to congratulate her on her victory.
In her concession statement, Bass thanked the residents of Los Angeles for allowing her to serve as the city’s first Black woman mayor.
She also acknowledged the outcome of the election and committed to supporting a smooth transition of leadership.
The concession marked the end of Bass’s reelection campaign and positioned Raman to become Los Angeles’ next mayor.
Raman, an urban planner and member of the Los Angeles City Council, campaigned on issues including housing affordability, homelessness, transportation and improvements to city services.
Her victory represents a significant political transition for Los Angeles as the city prepares for a new administration.
A Memorable Election Night in Hollywood
The November 3 gathering at the Loews Hollywood Hotel captured a significant moment in the city’s political history.
What began as an evening of anticipation and confidence among Bass supporters ultimately became one of the final public campaign appearances before the incumbent mayor acknowledged defeat.
For attendees, the event provided an opportunity to hear directly from Bass while following election developments in Los Angeles and across the country.
The evening also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding closely contested elections, particularly when large numbers of ballots remain uncounted after polls close.
As Los Angeles prepares for its next chapter under Raman’s leadership, the Hollywood gathering remains part of the story of the city’s 2026 mayoral election.
Presence News was on location for the November 3 election-night event, with photography provided by Oscar Bracho of Bracho Media.
Photo credit: Oscar Bracho / Bracho Media for Presence News.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times — Mayor Karen Bass Addresses Election-Night Watch Party
- ABC7 Los Angeles — Karen Bass Concedes to Nithya Raman
- ABC News — 2026 Election Results and Los Angeles Mayoral Race
