Progressive city council member Nithya Raman will face Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a November runoff. This sets up an unexpected election matchup between two Democrats and former allies in the city of nearly 4 million people. The outcome eliminates Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former reality TV star, from the race. Pratt’s candidacy drew national attention but didn’t secure enough votes for the runoff.
Raman’s last-minute entry into the race followed her endorsement of Bass for reelection. Elected to the council with support from the Democratic Socialists of America, Raman’s candidacy tests whether voters want to shift further left to address homelessness, infrastructure issues, and rising housing costs.
The race holds historical significance. Bass is the first Black woman mayor of Los Angeles, and Raman could become the first South Asian woman in that position.
If you’re as frustrated by the broken status quo as I am, I hope you’ll join our movement to build a city that works for everyone," Raman stated.
Bass’s campaign strategist Douglas Herman remarked on the upcoming race: “A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning.”
Raman overtook Pratt in every vote update since Election Day. On Sunday, Raman moved past Pratt and took the second position, expanding the gap to nearly 22,000 votes by Monday.
In addition to the mayoral race, the California governor’s race features Democrat Xavier Becerra advancing to the general election. His opponent remains undecided between Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer.
The mayoral election is officially nonpartisan, with candidates listed without party affiliation. Bass received less than 35% of the vote, a vulnerable position for an incumbent. Backed by prominent figures like Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, Bass seeks reelection amid criticism of her performance.
Raman, in her first citywide race, promises to speed up housing developments, restore entertainment industry jobs, and enhance city services. She criticized the current homeless strategy as ineffective, calling it “political theater.”
California’s voting process, slow due to the large volume of mail-in ballots, delayed the announcement of the runoff candidates. Elections officials count ballots postmarked by Election Day if received within seven days. Result updates favored Raman and Bass over Pratt, thanks to a late surge in Democratic mail ballots.
Raman’s political views have evolved over time regarding encampment policies and police funding. Born in India, Raman moved to the U.S. in her childhood. She holds degrees from Harvard and MIT in urban planning. Her previous opposition to restrictions on homeless encampments near schools has softened. Her stance on police department size also shifted, maintaining the current number of officers.
Los Angeles’s diverse electorate elects mayors through broad coalitions. Democratic consultant Bill Carrick believes Raman must broaden support to succeed against Bass. Voter Tanika Vickers, employed by a housing nonprofit, expressed frustration with current policies and supported Raman for her plans benefiting the city’s needs.