Nithya Raman wins Los Angeles mayoral election, defeating Karen Bass
According to the Associated Press, city council member Nithya Raman has won the election and will become the first mayor of Los Angeles of South Asian descent. Her priorities include affordable housing and assistance for the homeless.
Nithya Raman has defeated incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The Associated Press declared her the winner on November 5; at the time of publication, Raman was receiving approximately 52% of the votes, Al Jazeera reports.
The 45-year-old native of India worked in urban planning before entering politics. Her campaign was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Bass, in turn, received support from California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
Raman promises to expand housing accessibility, improve city services, and increase the number of medical teams assisting the homeless. She has also called for a change in the police chief due to concerns about the department's cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Previously, Raman had supported Bass's re-election but decided to run herself in February.
Bass congratulated her opponent and pledged to ensure a smooth transition of power. The new leadership of the second-most populous city in the U.S. will not only need to address housing issues but also prepare Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic Games.
