LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — Indian American politician Nithya Raman has made a strong comeback in the Los Angeles mayoral race, moving into second place after additional mail-in ballots were counted.
Raman, who trailed on election night, gained ground as election officials processed more ballots received through the mail. Her rise has reshaped the contest and strengthened her chances of advancing to the November runoff election.
The latest vote count shows Raman with 27.1% of the vote. That puts her ahead of former television personality and Republican candidate Spencer Pratt, who has 6.7%. The race remains fluid because county election officials continue to accept mail-in ballots that carry a June 2 Election Day postmark. Officials will count eligible ballots received through June 9, leaving room for additional changes in the standings.
Raman began election night in third place. However, her position improved as officials added thousands of mail-in ballots to the tally. The shift marked a major turnaround in the Los Angeles mayoral election. It also increased the likelihood that Raman will advance to the next stage of the race. If the current results hold, Raman will face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the Nov. 3 runoff election. That outcome would end Pratt’s hopes of reaching the final round. Bass remains the leading candidate. She secured 34.7% of the vote and has already qualified for the runoff, according to projections by The Associated Press.
Although Raman once worked closely with Bass and supported her politically, she has taken a different approach during the mayoral campaign. Since announcing her candidacy, Raman has criticized several of Bass’ policies. She has focused much of her attention on homelessness, one of Los Angeles’ most pressing issues.
Raman has questioned the effectiveness of the mayor’s “Inside Safe” homelessness program. She has called for changes in spending priorities and a different strategy to address the crisis. She has also challenged Bass on housing affordability, public safety, and the rising cost of living. These issues have become central themes of her campaign as she seeks to attract voters looking for new solutions.
Raman brings a background in urban planning and community advocacy to the race.
She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in urban planning from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before entering elected office, she became known for her work as a homelessness advocate. Her experience in housing and city planning has shaped many of her policy proposals. Supporters argue that her professional background gives her a strong understanding of the challenges facing Los Angeles. Raman also made history when she became the first woman sworn into the Los Angeles City Council in 2022. Since then, she has built a profile as a progressive leader focused on housing, transportation, and social issues.
Raman’s campaign has attracted support from several advocacy organizations and grassroots networks. Groups such as Indian American Impact and Streets For All have backed her bid for mayor. Volunteer-driven efforts have also played a major role in her political rise. Supporters say her campaign reflects growing demand for change in Los Angeles. They point to concerns about housing costs, homelessness, and public services as key reasons for her growing support.
Election officials will continue counting eligible mail-in ballots in the coming days. Those results could further shape the race before final standings become official.
