Who Is Nithya Raman, Dubbed The ‘Next Mamdani’, Gaining Ground In LA Mayor Race?

Last Updated:May 02, 2026, 08:51 IST

Raman, who traces her roots to India, is being dubbed the ‘next Mamdani’ for her grassroots rise, progressive politics and outsider-driven campaign.

With the June 2 nonpartisan primary approaching, the Los Angeles mayoral race is tightening in unexpected ways. Incumbent mayor Karen Bass still holds an initial edge, but recent projections suggest a shift in momentum, with city councilmember Nithya Raman emerging as a serious contender.

As of April 30, Polymarket projections place Raman’s chances of leading the race at around 60 per cent, underscoring how her late entry — announced in February — has reshaped the contest over the past few months.

But who exactly is Nithya Raman, and why is the Indian-origin leader being dubbed the ‘next Mamdani’ in Los Angeles politics?

Who Is Nithya Raman? From Kerala Roots To LA Politics

Born on July 28, 1981, into a Tamil family in Kerala, Raman spent her early childhood in India before moving to the United States at the age of six. Her family settled in Louisiana, marking the beginning of her long association with the country where she would later build her career. She became a naturalised American citizen at 22.

Raman studied political theory at Harvard University before pursuing a master’s degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Her connection to India remained significant. At one stage, she returned to Chennai and founded a research organisation focused on improving sanitation — an early indication of her interest in urban policy and grassroots problem-solving.

How Raman Entered Politics

Before entering electoral politics, Raman’s work centred on urban issues, homelessness, and gender justice. After moving to Los Angeles in 2013, she gained experience within the city’s administrative ecosystem, understanding how municipal systems function.

Her grassroots activism became more visible in 2017 when she founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition. The organisation focused on homelessness through direct outreach and community engagement, reflecting her belief that local mobilisation can address systemic problems.

She also served as executive director of Time’s Up Entertainment, an organisation linked to the #MeToo movement that aimed to tackle gender inequality in the entertainment industry.

Raman’s shift to electoral politics came in 2020, and it was anything but conventional.

Running as a political outsider with no establishment backing, she challenged incumbent councilmember David Ryu, who had the support of national figures like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. Raman built a volunteer-driven campaign that mobilised thousands of supporters.

According to The Guardian, her campaign included more than 2,000 volunteers who knocked on around 80,000 doors — a scale she described as unprecedented. The effort paid off. Raman not only defeated Ryu but did so in what was widely seen as a major political upset. Her victory was described by the Los Angeles Times as “a political earthquake".

She became the first South Asian woman and the first Asian American woman elected to the Los Angeles City Council, and was re-elected in 2024, consolidating her position.

Why Did Raman’s Mayoral Entry Shock LA Politics?

Raman officially entered the mayoral race on February 7 — just hours before the filing deadline — in what many described as a “surprise bid". The timing was particularly striking because she had recently endorsed Bass for re-election.

The late entry dramatically altered the race’s trajectory. Until then, Bass appeared to be heading towards a relatively smooth re-election, especially after several high-profile challengers opted not to run.

“It’s rare to have a serious contender join a race so late," veteran journalist Jim Newton noted, according to The Guardian, but Raman quickly emerged as one of the strongest candidates.

Her decision also triggered sharp reactions. The Los Angeles Police Protective League criticised her candidacy, saying that “if political backstabbing were a crime, Nithya Raman would be a wanted fugitive."

Raman, however, dismissed the narrative of betrayal. “I don’t think we should talking about the future of LA in the context of friendship or betrayal," she said. “We need to be talking about the issues that are facing us and how we can fix them."

What Is Driving Her Campaign?

Raman’s candidacy comes at a time of deep dissatisfaction in Los Angeles.

The city has faced multiple crises — from devastating wildfires that killed 31 people and destroyed over 16,000 structures, to persistent concerns about homelessness, housing costs, and public services. Criticism of the administration’s handling of these issues has created an opening for challengers.

“There was a palpable sense that voters were in what I describe as a ‘hangry’ mood," former councilmember Mike Bonin said to The Guardian. “They’re angry over a lot of things."

Raman has positioned herself as a candidate responding to this frustration. “Los Angeles is at a breaking point," she told The New York Times. “And people feel it in the most basic ways."

She has also framed her campaign as a call for systemic accountability. “Los Angeles needs a mayor who’s going to take responsibility for the whole system," she said. “Who is going to prepare for emergencies before they happen? Who is going to communicate honestly when things go wrong and fix what fails?"

What Are Raman’s Key Policy Issues?

At the centre of Raman’s campaign is the issue of housing — both supply and affordability. She has argued for accelerating housing construction and reforming city processes that slow development.

She has also emphasised improving basic city services and governance efficiency, arguing that residents expect more responsive institutions.

Another key focus is economic revitalisation, particularly through strengthening Los Angeles’s film and television industry, which she sees as critical to the city’s economy.

At the same time, she has criticised existing policies, including Bass’s “Inside Safe" programme, calling it financially unsustainable and pointing to inconsistencies in outcomes.

Why Is She Being Called The ‘Next Mamdani’?

Her rise has also drawn comparisons to progressive figures in American politics, particularly New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Like Mamdani, Raman is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America and has built her political base through grassroots organising rather than traditional party networks. Both leaders have emerged through volunteer-driven campaigns centred on housing, inequality and urban governance.

As with Mamdani, Raman’s immigrant background also means she is not eligible to run for the US presidency, which is restricted to natural-born citizens.

Can Raman Convert Momentum Into Victory?

Despite the early momentum, Raman faces significant challenges.

She entered the race late, must build a citywide campaign infrastructure, and needs to consolidate a coalition that includes voters not traditionally aligned with progressive candidates. Key segments of the liberal establishment remain with Bass, and Raman will need to expand her appeal beyond her base.

At the same time, analysts believe she has a viable path. Her ability to mobilise renters, younger voters, and pro-housing advocates could prove decisive in a city increasingly shaped by those constituencies.

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