Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman faced audience backlash at a mayoral debate when defending her campaign’s decision to hire Fight Agency, a controversial progressive consulting firm that previously managed disgraced Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner’s failed bid.
Raman drew groans from the crowd at the Sherman Oaks debate on August 19 after fumbling her explanation for the hiring, according to reporting from multiple outlets. The decision to work with Fight Agency became a focal point of scrutiny days before the debate, when her campaign confirmed plans on August 19 to use the firm for television advertisements.
Fight Agency is best known for its work on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s successful campaign and for advising Platner, whose 2025 Senate race imploded after reporting revealed a Nazi symbol tattoo and a woman’s allegation of sexual assault. Platner denied the assault allegation. The firm is led by strategist Morris Katz, who has become a flashpoint for progressive criticism.
Several hundred members of the Democratic Socialists of America, the leftist organization Raman belongs to, issued a letter calling on candidates and elected officials to boycott both Fight Agency and Katz, according to the Los Angeles Times. The letter, circulated in July, included signatures from top DSA members, though it was not endorsed by a specific chapter. Raman is a member of the Los Angeles DSA chapter, which endorsed her City Council campaigns but has not yet made an endorsement in the mayoral race.
The Bass campaign moved quickly to capitalize on the controversy. Spokesman Alex Stack called the hiring “a major liability for her candidacy and another example of putting her political ambition first.” Fight Agency spokesman Michael Mikail disputed Bass campaign claims that they never attempted to hire the firm, saying a person affiliated with Bass sought to set up a meeting last spring, though no meeting took place. Another Bass-affiliated person contacted the firm about working for her campaign last month, which Fight Agency declined.
Katz himself acknowledged missteps in his handling of Platner’s campaign. In a July interview, he said he should have ended the relationship much sooner, stating that the Nazi tattoo and other controversies should have been disqualifying. Despite the backlash, Mamdani has retained Katz as one of his top advisors.
Raman’s campaign began speaking with Fight Agency in February, before the primary, but did not hire the firm at that time. A campaign spokesman said no contract has yet been signed with the firm as of the August 19 announcement, though the campaign stated it plans to work with them.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times — Nithya Raman’s campaign plan to hire Fight Agency, the firm’s prior work for Mamdani and Platner, DSA member boycott call, and Bass campaign response
- Fox News — Raman’s fumbled debate answer and audience groans on August 21
- New York Times — DSA members’ letter calling for boycott of Fight Agency and Morris Katz
