Nithya Raman wins Los Angeles mayoral election defeating Karen Bass
The Kerala-born politician becomes the first Asian-American mayor of the second-largest city in the United States.
Nithya Raman has won the mayoral race in Los Angeles, defeating the incumbent Karen Bass, according to reports from South First and News18. Raman secured 51.1 per cent of the vote, while Bass received 48.33 per cent, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The 45-year-old Raman is the first Asian-American to lead the city and the second woman elected to the highest citywide office. Her victory follows a campaign that focused on housing affordability, homelessness, and municipal utilities.
Raman, who was born in Kerala and moved to the United States at age six, is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She previously served on the Los Angeles City Council after defeating incumbent David Ryu in 2020.
An urban planner by profession, Raman holds a degree from Harvard University and a Master's degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She co-founded the urban research initiative Transparent Chennai and later served as executive director of Time's Up Entertainment.
Raman's campaign gained momentum following an endorsement from Controller Kenneth Mejia. She is expected to oversee the 2028 Olympics during her tenure as mayor.
