She’s not LA’s Mamdani. But she might still become Mayor

The rally brimmed with an eclectic assortment of supporters: union members in vibrant orange construction vests, democratic socialists in Dodger blue "DSA LA" caps, and banners held by South Asian American workers. Nithya Raman, the frontrunner to become Los Angeles' next mayor in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, addressed the crowd.

"Look around," she told the cheering attendees, "this is the coalition that will lead us to the mayor's seat." Her message resonated, and the crowd waved campaign signs in yellow and blue. At first glance, it seemed improbable that Raman, a 45-year-old member of the Los Angeles City Council, would rise to such prominence. In 2020, she defied expectations by unseating an incumbent council member – a first in over a decade.

In 2024, she successfully defended her seat against a well-funded challenger. Raman's ascent to the mayoral race was unexpected, and she has continually surpassed initial projections. Despite her status as a relatively unknown quantity in 2020, she managed to defeat an incumbent council member, becoming the city's first in more than a decade to do so.

As she prepared to face the incumbent mayor, Bass, in the 2024 election, Raman's path became even more unusual. Former Republican TV star Spencer Pratt joined the race, drawing disaffected voters and forcing Raman into a tight race. Moreover, a wave of democratic socialists had emerged in cities across the nation, further fueling Raman's campaign.

Raman's rise is reminiscent of that of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, both Democrats of South Asian descent with millennial backgrounds who have employed social media in their campaigns. However, political experts argue that Raman's charisma and savvy cannot compare to Mamdani's. Instead, Raman's ascent is likely attributed to a widespread disillusionment with the status quo, rather than the DSA agenda.

If elected, Raman would be the West Coast counterpart to Mamdani – not because of her political prowess, but because of her rejection of the incumbent mayor, Bass. Raman has faced criticism for her relationship with Bass, who has criticized her as unprepared to lead the city, especially in light of the upcoming Olympics in 2028.

While some of Raman's colleagues on the City Council have failed to endorse her, she has carefully separated her campaign from that of Mamdani, emphasizing her focus on practical solutions for Los Angeles. Raised in Boston and educated at Harvard and MIT, Raman brought her policy experience and Ivy League background to Los Angeles.

Her tenure as an executive director of Times Up, a women's advocacy group, further solidified her credentials. Her rise to the mayoral race began after she decided to challenge an incumbent council member who was not addressing her concerns about housing and shelter space. Her campaign has been marked by a wavering embrace of the DSA platform, but she has been careful to distance herself from Mamdani's bid.

Prior to entering politics, Raman worked at various nonprofits, including in India and Hollywood, where she focused on affordable housing initiatives for her neighborhood. With her Ivy League education and urban planning expertise, Raman has proposed policy measures ranging from audits of homelessness programs to improving infrastructure.

While her proposals may not be as bold as those of Mamdani, her supporters contend that her approach is more grounded and responsive to the needs of Los Angeles residents.