Nithya Raman elected as Los Angeles mayor after defeating Karen Bass
The 45-year-old Kerala-born politician secured 51.1 per cent of the vote to lead the second most populous US city.
Nithya Raman has been projected to win the Los Angeles mayoral race, defeating the incumbent Karen Bass, according to Decision Desk HQ. Raman secured 51.1 per cent of the vote, while the 73-year-old Bass received 48.33 per cent, according to reports from The Pioneer and Moneycontrol.
The projection, announced on November 5, follows a race that initially appeared to favour Bass on Tuesday night. Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), gained ground as more votes were counted on Wednesday.
Born in Kerala in 1981, Raman moved to the United States at age six. She graduated in Social Studies from Harvard University and earned a master's degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Before entering politics, Raman co-founded Transparent Chennai, an initiative focused on urban poverty and sanitation. She also served as the executive director of Time’s Up Entertainment and worked with the SELAH Neighbourhood Homeless Coalition in Los Angeles.
Raman was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. Her mayoral campaign focused on affordable housing, city services, and the local movie business.
If confirmed, Raman will lead the city as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games.
