Indian American Nithya Raman Challenges LA Mayor Bass
Indian American politician Nithya Raman has emerged as a key challenger in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race, positioning herself as a strong contender against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
A recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, shows Bass leading with 25% support among likely voters, while Raman follows at 17%. Conservative figure Spencer Pratt is in third place with 14%, while more than a quarter of voters remain undecided, indicating a highly competitive and uncertain race ahead of the June 2 primary.
Despite holding the lead, Bass faces significant public dissatisfaction, with 56% of voters viewing her unfavorably compared to 31% favorably. This level of discontent has created an opening for challengers like Raman to build momentum in the coming months.
Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Councilmember since 2020, is an Indian American urban planner and activist originally from Kerala, India. She moved to the United States during childhood and later studied at Harvard University and MIT. Before entering U.S. politics, she worked in India on urban development issues in cities like Chennai and Delhi, focusing on housing, sanitation, and informal settlements. She also founded Transparent Chennai, a research initiative aimed at improving urban planning for underserved communities.
Raman’s entry into the mayoral race in February 2026 came shortly before the filing deadline and drew political attention, especially as she had previously supported Bass’s re-election. Her campaign has faced criticism from some political and labor groups, but she has pointed to housing policy concerns, including Measure ULA, as a key reason for her decision to run.
Polling indicates Raman has strong support among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, while Bass maintains a lead among Black voters. However, Raman remains less known to many voters, which could influence the trajectory of the campaign as visibility increases.
Political analysts view the race as a broader ideological contest within Los Angeles, reflecting divisions within progressive politics over housing, governance, and affordability. If no candidate wins a majority in the June primary, the top two will advance to a November runoff.
Given current trends, a Bass–Raman face-off in the general election appears increasingly likely, potentially setting up a historic contest that could bring the first Indian American mayor to Los Angeles.
