L.A. mayor’s race too early to call

LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - The Los Angeles mayor's race is turning out to be a real showdown.

As of Wednesday morning, the NBC News Decision Desk is characterizing the race as "too early to call."

With over 62% of the votes in, challenger Nithya Raman has a slight 51-to-49% lead over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, but that could change as the count continues.

Both candidates spoke to their supporters Tuesday night.

"This is a critical day in our city, but it is a critical day in our country. Oh, my God. We have taken back the House. We have taken back the Senate. Hakeem Jeffries is getting ready to be the Speaker of the House. Oh my goodness, you talk about change. We will now be able to put some brakes on the White House. The country has spoken and the city is speaking now. Let me just say from the bottom of my heart, thank you Angelenos.

As we await for the votes to be counted, there is one thing I can tell you with absolute certainty. I have never been more proud of our city, more grateful for its people, or more hopeful about what we can accomplish together. This campaign has been about our belief that Los Angeles is the greatest city in the country and in the world.

Let me just say it takes a while to count the vote in our city, but pretty soon we shall know. And I am confident with all of the work that is done here that we will achieve victory. We will achieve victory. I love Los Angeles. I believe in the city and I will always fight for the city that we deserve. Are you with me?"

Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

"I have a question for everyone who is here. Do you love Los Angeles? Do you love Los Angeles? Are you ready for an LA that loves you back. Look at this space around you. Look at what we built together.

There are still a lot of ballots to count and we're going to let that count finish, I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful. I'm very hopeful. But I'm also really superstitious, so we're all just going to be cool, Okay? Very cool.

Today, all across America, all across America, voters demanded change. They are angry about a broken status quo and the politicians who failed them over and over again. But change feels good, doesn't it?"

Nithya Ramen, L.A. mayoral candidate