Indian-American Nithya Raman has secured a spot in the November run-off election for Los Angeles mayor, edging out her Republican rival. Raman, a 44-year-old former urban planner, initially trailed by over 40,000 votes before gaining ground.
Should Raman win the run-off election, she will join Zohran Mamdani, another Indian-American politician, who currently runs New York City. Raman has promised to change the 'broken status quo' in LA, addressing issues such as depleted services, higher rents, and the power of special interest groups.
With degrees from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Raman has a strong background in urban planning. She has previously unseated an incumbent LA City Council member and has six years of city council experience.
Raman's campaign has focused on progressive priorities, including affordable housing, rent protection, and combating homelessness. Her connection to India is substantial, having lived in Chennai and run a non-profit focused on improving access to sanitation and securing greater political rights for underserved communities.
