Los Angeles Is on the Cusp of Its Mamdani Moment
Nithya Raman’s rise suggests Mamdani’s affordability coalition may travel even if governing Los Angeles proves far harder.
The Los Angeles City Council candidate Nithya Raman is on course to win the November 3 runoff election, according to recent polls and prediction markets. Polling firm UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies has Raman at 39 percent, while Mayor Karen Bass trails at 28 percent. However, a significant 33 percent of likely voters remain undecided. Traders have also gained interest, with Kalshi and Polymarket pricing Raman at roughly 57 percent and 58 percent respectively to win the runoff.
Raman's campaign is focusing on housing affordability, promising more housing and better protections for renters. She is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The similarities between Raman's campaign and Zohran Mamdani's in New York are striking, with both candidates emphasizing affordability and appealing to a coalition of younger, middle-class renters and members of varying political backgrounds.
Raman's campaign positions her as a potential successor to Mamdani's success in urban politics, but it will be interesting to see if she can replicate his level of success.
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