Veteran journalist and KBLA host Dominique DiPrima joined Hard Knock Radio host Davey D for a wide-ranging conversation about the Los Angeles mayoral race, shifting political coalitions, and what California’s political battles may signal for the rest of the country. Drawing on decades of experience covering politics and community issues, DiPrima offered an unfiltered assessment of the forces shaping the race between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
DiPrima explained that while Raman is often portrayed as the more progressive candidate, she believes that characterization is misleading. “Either they’re both progressives, or neither one is, because they have the same voting record,” she said, noting that both Bass and Raman have moved toward the political center while governing.
A major theme of the discussion was the influence of police unions and law enforcement politics. According to DiPrima, pressure from police organizations has played a significant role in reshaping local political priorities. “It’s the police. It’s the police,” she said, arguing that elected officials often face intense pressure once they enter office. She added that many politicians begin governing cautiously because “their main goal becomes keeping their job.”
The conversation also explored the role of Black voters in Los Angeles politics. Despite making up a relatively small percentage of the city’s population, DiPrima emphasized their outsized influence. “The secret of Black LA is we vote above our weight class,” she explained. “We’re 7 to 8 percent of the population and about 20 percent of voters.”
Looking beyond Los Angeles, DiPrima and Davey D examined national Democratic Party strategy, redistricting battles, and whether political leaders are overlooking the energy coming from progressive grassroots movements. DiPrima argued that Democrats often make the mistake of chasing moderate swing voters while neglecting their most energized supporters. “The energy is with the young progressives and the old progressives,” she said, pointing to leaders such as Summer Lee, Isaac Bryan, and Zohran Mamdani.
As California heads toward another contentious election cycle, DiPrima urged listeners to stay engaged, organize, and recognize that the political struggles unfolding in Los Angeles could have implications far beyond city limits.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.
