Nithya Raman, a progressive urban planner and Los Angeles city councilmember, has made a shock last-minute entry into the city's mayoral race, filing just hours before the deadline. The 44-year-old had previously endorsed incumbent Mayor Karen Bass for re-election, making her decision to run a surprise to constituents and political allies alike.
Raman entered LA politics in 2020 by defeating an incumbent Democrat who had been endorsed by Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. Her campaign focused on housing and homelessness, and she received an endorsement from Bernie Sanders. Her team knocked on 80,000 doors across a sprawling district, drawing comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The mayoral race was already in motion, with several competitors recently dropping out, seemingly easing Bass's path to victory. Raman's entry has changed the calculus, with veteran LA journalist Jim Newton noting that it is rare to have a serious contender join so late. Raman said she views running for mayor as an "extraordinary opportunity" to make Los Angeles more affordable and to govern with urgency and accountability.
Raman's split with Bass has fueled fascination. When asked if her move was a betrayal akin to Brutus's against Julius Caesar, Raman said, "We need to be talking about the issues that are facing us and how we can fix them." However, key portions of the city's liberal base have already aligned with Bass, raising questions about whether Raman can build a successful campaign.
Former LA councilmember Mike Bonin noted that many on the left are taken aback because her candidacy "threatens the traditional progressive coalition in Los Angeles." Yet, professor Fernando Guerra said Raman appeals to liberal establishment Democrats, DSA members, and moderate business Democrats. The election comes during a challenging chapter for the city, following unprecedented wildfires and ongoing frustrations over homelessness and housing.
