LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman was a late entrant in the 2026 race for mayor, surprising many by challenging incumbent and ally Mayor Karen Bass. Raman positions herself as a progressive candidate focused on housing, homelessness and government accountability.
Raman represents the city’s 4th District, which includes parts of Hollywood, Silver Lake and the San Fernando Valley. She filed her candidacy shortly before the deadline earlier this month. The primary election is scheduled for June, with a runoff expected in November if no candidate wins a majority.
First elected in 2020, Raman defeated an incumbent councilmember in a race backed by grassroots organizers and progressive groups. She was reelected in 2024 with support from a broad coalition of voters.
Born in Kerala, India, Raman immigrated to the United States as a child and later became a naturalized citizen. She earned a degree in political theory from Harvard University and a master’s degree in urban planning from MIT. Before entering politics, she worked in urban planning and co-founded a homelessness advocacy coalition in Los Angeles.
In a recent interview with Diya TV’s Ravi Kapur, Raman said she was drawn to Southern California because of her interest in public service and Los Angeles’ potential.
“Service is important,” Raman said. “I’m an urban planner by training. I love cities. I love LA. I think LA is the most incredible city I’ve ever had the pleasure of living in. It’s a miracle of diversity and inclusion, and it’s a place where people come to build their dreams.”
Her campaign is expected to focus heavily on housing affordability and homelessness, two issues that have defined her time on the City Council. Raman has argued that Los Angeles must expand housing supply while improving accountability in homelessness spending and services.
Public safety is also expected to be a key issue in the race. Raman previously supported shifting portions of the police budget toward community based services but has more recently said the city must ensure adequate staffing levels while pursuing broader safety reforms.
During the interview, Raman also spoke about immigration and the role of Indian Americans in the United States. She expressed concern about what she described as hostility toward H-1B visa holders in national political discourse.
“Indians are very much a part of the fabric of America,” she said. “People come here, they work, they contribute, they pay taxes, and they serve their communities.”
Raman’s entry into the race sets up a competitive contest within the Democratic Party. Mayor Bass, elected in 2022, is seeking another term. Political observers say the campaign will likely center on how effectively city leadership has addressed homelessness, public safety and economic challenges.
