Indian-American Nithya Raman beats Spencer Pratt for second spot in LA mayoral race
Los Angeles, June 9
Indian-American Nithya Raman has advanced to general election for the Mayor of Los Angeles scheduled to take place in November, after beating former reality television personality Spencer Pratt.
In a post on X, Raman thanked the voters for their support and said that she would fight for a "healthier, safer, more affordable and more joyful Los Angeles" and address key issues plaguing people such as high rents and depleted services.
She said, "I'm incredibly honored that voters have given us the opportunity to advance to the general election for Mayor of Los Angeles. To the thousands of supporters who knocked doors, made calls, sent texts, donated, and opened their homes for events across the city, and to everyone else who made this moment possible: thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Raman added, "Now our fight for a healthier, safer, more affordable, and more joyful Los Angeles continues. For too long, City Hall has prioritized giving political advantage to powerful interests that fund elections. Meanwhile, working people pay the price in higher rents, depleted services, and a city that has stopped working for them. If you're as frustrated by the broken status quo as I am, I hope you'll join our movement to build a city that works for everyone."
Raman is now set to face incumbent mayor Karen Bass in November.
Although the mayoral race remains technically non-partisan, the November showdown will see a battle between left-leaning leaders in America's second-largest city, CNN reported.
As per CNN, Raman was an advocate targeting homelessness before being elected to the City Council and has vowed to reduce the number of people sleeping in tents or encampments by half before Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympics.
Nithya Raman- the Los Angeles City Council member is an urban planner, and a graduate of Harvard and MIT, representing District 4.
Her official website notes that she ran for City Council in 2020 and won a historic victory, becoming the first Asian-American woman and the first South Asian ever to serve on the City Council. In March 2024, she was decisively elected to a second term.
ABC News reported Raman was also the first challenger in 17 years to defeat a sitting councilmember.
Since taking office, Raman has prioritized delivering services for people experiencing homelessness, building affordable housing, and moving with greater urgency to meet our city's climate goals.
— ANI
Reader Comments
She's a left-leaning candidate, so I hope she focuses on practical solutions rather than just ideology. Reducing tent encampments by half before the 2028 Olympics is a bold goal, but we need to ensure it's done compassionately without criminalizing homelessness. That said, great to see a South Asian face in US politics.
Beating a reality TV star? Ya, that's not exactly a high bar! 😅 But seriously, Raman's credentials are solid—urban planner, city council work, and a clear vision. I'm curious how she'll handle the Karen Bass showdown in November. LA needs fresh energy, and she seems to bring that. Hope she can actually deliver on those 'city for everyone' promises.
Nithya Raman's story is a testament to the Indian-American community's growing political influence. From being the first Asian-American woman on LA City Council to now challenging the mayor. But let's be real—US politics, especially big city politics, is messy. I hope she doesn't get bogged down by City Hall bureaucracy. Desh ki shaan! 🇮🇳🇺🇸
High rents and depleted services—sounds just like Bangalore! 😂 Raman seems to understand the struggles of working people. But I worry about her ambitious goals—reducing homelessness by half is no joke. Still, it's exciting to see a progressive Indian-origin candidate making it this far. I'll be following the November elections closely!
First challenger in 17 years to defeat a sitting councilmember—that's unprecedented
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