Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race
The progressive challenger becomes the next mayor of America's second-largest city, joining New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as an Indian-origin leader.
Nithya Raman has defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race, according to a projection by NBC News reported by Times Now. The 45-year-old Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, will succeed Bass as the mayor of the city.
Raman, a former urban planner and activist, focused her campaign on rising housing costs and the homelessness crisis. She accused Bass of mismanaging homelessness and criticised City Hall for being reluctant to pursue transformative policy changes.
Bass, a former six-term congresswoman, questioned Raman's experience and argued that the challenger was not ready for the role after six years on the City Council. The candidates also held different views regarding the war in Gaza.
During a September forum, Raman stated she agreed with influencer Hasan Piker that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians, a description that Bass rejected. Raman also emphasised her independence from the Democratic Socialists of America during her campaign.
Bass faced criticism regarding her handling of the January 2025 wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes while she was in Ghana. Raman will now face the task of preparing Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
