Nithya Raman Advances to Runoff Against LA Mayor Karen Bass

Nithya Raman, a progressive city council member in Los Angeles, has advanced to a runoff against Mayor Karen Bass in November. This unexpected matchup features two Democrats and former allies vying to lead the city of nearly 4 million residents.

Raman’s advancement means Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former reality TV star, has been eliminated. Despite his celebrity status and challenge to the city’s liberal governance, he did not secure enough votes.

Raman’s entry into the race came after initially endorsing Bass for reelection. Her campaign is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, and it aims to tackle issues like homelessness, infrastructure, and high living costs. Bass, the first Black woman to serve as mayor, could be succeeded by Raman, potentially the first South Asian woman in the role.

Bass has held mayoral office since 2022, after serving in the state Legislature and Congress. Though supported by prominent figures like Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, she received under 35% of the recent vote count, indicating vulnerability.

“For too long, City Hall has prioritized giving political advantage to powerful interests that fund elections. Meanwhile, working people pay the price in higher rents, depleted services and a city that has stopped working for them,” Raman stated.

Raman promises to expedite housing construction and revive entertainment industry jobs. She critiques the city’s current approach to homelessness as ineffective.

California’s election process involves a lengthy vote count due to mail-in ballot regulations. Ballots are accepted if postmarked by Election Day and received within a week. Early results had Bass leading, with Pratt second and Raman third. However, as later ballots were counted, Raman gained traction and overtook Pratt.

Raman’s political stance has evolved over time. Initially, she resisted prohibiting encampments near schools but has since softened her position. Her views on policing have also shifted; she previously advocated for reducing the police force but now supports maintaining its size.

In Los Angeles, successful mayoral candidates build coalitions across ethnic and geographic lines. To win, Raman must broaden her support base.

Democratic consultant Bill Carrick noted the challenges ahead, stating, “The people who didn’t vote for Nithya weren’t voting against her, they were voting for somebody else.”

Some voters dissatisfied with the status quo support Raman for her potential to deliver change.

Tanika Vickers, who works for a housing nonprofit, expressed frustration with current tax spending, particularly on homelessness without clear results. She voted for Raman because she believed in her ability to implement necessary changes.

Vickers concluded, “I think that we are all looking for change.”