Nithya Raman poised to become Los Angeles mayor after primary surge
The urban planner is currently leading the race by 25,000 votes ahead of a November run-off election.
Nithya Raman is likely to become the next mayor of Los Angeles after a late surge in ballot counts placed her in second place, according to the Times of India. Raman, a 45-year-old City Council member with six years of experience, is currently leading by 25,000 votes.
The race will proceed to a run-off election in November because incumbent Mayor Karen Bass did not secure 50 per cent of the vote. Raman moved past reality television personality Spencer Pratt following the arrival of a batch of late ballots.
Raman, an urban planner by training, campaigned on promises of improved public services, better housing, and more accountable government. Her rise follows a period where incumbent Karen Bass faced criticism regarding her handling of the January 2025 Palisades wildfire, which killed 12 people.
The potential victory marks a breakthrough for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). If successful, Raman will join Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, in leading one of America's two largest cities.
Raman's husband, Vali Chandrasekaran, is a television writer and producer. Her father, Venkit Raman, is an IITian who supported her campaign workers during the early primary returns.
