Los Angeles is set for a nonpartisan mayoral primary on June 2, with a potential runoff scheduled for November 3 if no candidate secures a majority.
The race has gained momentum after Nithya Raman, 44, a Democrat and Los Angeles City Council member, entered the contest a day before the February 4 filing deadline. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass had been seen as an early frontrunner.
As of late last month, projections cited in reports placed Raman ahead with around 60% support. Raman is of Tamil origin and was born on July 28, 1981, in Kerala to a Tamil family. She moved to the United States at the age of six, with her family settling in Louisiana, and became a U.S. citizen at 22.
With a master’s degree in urban planning, Raman has also worked on civic issues, including founding a research organisation in Chennai focused on improving health and sanitation. She has started several community development initiatives.
Raman first won a Los Angeles City Council ward seat in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. She is noted as the first South Asian woman and the first Asian American woman elected to the Los Angeles City Council. Reports also compare her to Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani, citing similarities in their political positions.
