A national panel of the Democratic Socialists of America narrowly voted against rescinding the endorsement of Nithya Raman for Los Angeles mayor Monday, just one day ahead of Tuesday’s election. The group had been considering revoking the endorsement of the council member over her views on Israel, which some considered insufficiently tough. In a 14-13 vote Monday, the National Political Committee declined to revoke the endorsement that was passed by DSA’s Los Angeles chapter in September, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed.
The committee had been reviewing Raman’s stance on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement — known as BDS — against Israel. Some on the body believed that DSA-LA had violated “R22,” a DSA resolution that requires local chapters to inquire about a candidate’s support for BDS before endorsing. The local chapter did not include a question about BDS on its candidate questionnaire.
DSA-LA members have been canvassing across the city for Raman since the endorsement, and the local chapter’s leadership opposed the National Political Committee stepping into the process. “We’re relieved that the NPC is honoring the will of our members,” said Leslie Chang, a co-chair of DSA-LA. Raman’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
