Indian-Origin Nithya Raman, Dubbed As 'Next Mamdani', Advances To LA Mayoral Race; Why Is She Compared To NYC Mayor?

Indian-origin Democrat leader Nithya Raman has emerged as a major contender in the Los Angeles mayoral race. She has secured a spot in the November election after gaining edge over Republican television personality Spencer Pratt in the June 2 primary. Her strong performance has drawn attention and made her one of the most talked about candidates. Observers are increasingly comparing her to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Raman Advances To LA Mayoral Race

According to reports, Raman secured 28.5 per cent of the vote in the primary election, ahead of Spencer Pratt, who received 25.8 per cent. Although she was trailing Pratt on election night, Raman gained strong support as more votes were counted and eventually moved ahead. She will now compete against current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the November election.

Who Is Nithya Raman?

Nithya Raman, 44, is an urban planner and a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the city's 4th District since 2020. Born into a Tamil Iyer family in Kerala, she moved to Louisiana in the United States when she was six years old. Raman earned a bachelor’s degree in political theory from Harvard University and a master’s degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Before moving to LA in 2014, Raman lived in India, where she founded Transparent Chennai, a nonprofit organisation that used research and community engagement to support underserved communities. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked in city administration and later founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition.

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In 2020, she ran for the Los Angeles City Council on a platform focused on tackling homelessness and housing issues. Raman made history as the first Asian American woman and the first South Asian elected to the Los Angeles City Council.

Why Is She Compared To Zohran Mamdani?

Raman is often compared to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as both are progressive politicians with links to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Like Mamdani, Raman has built her political career around issues such as affordable housing, homelessness, and social justice. Reports suggest that both have gained support from young voters.

I’m incredibly honored that voters have given us the opportunity to advance to the general election for Mayor of Los Angeles.

To the thousands of supporters who knocked doors, made calls, sent texts, donated, and opened their homes for events across the city, and to everyone…

— Nithya Raman (@nithyavraman) June 9, 2026

Her decision to run for mayor, despite previously endorsing Bass, has also been seen as a move like Mamdani's rise in New York politics. Moreover, their progressive agenda and outsider image have also led to people drawing comparisons between the two leaders.

Homelessness lies at the center of Raman's mayoral campaign. She argues that the city needs better leadership to address growing challenges. In a post on X, she wrote, “Los Angeles deserves a mayor that doesn't drag their feet. Karen Bass promised change. Instead, Angelenos got delays. It took years to appoint a film liaison. Our animal shelters went years without stable leadership.”

She added, “Whenever our city needs urgency, City Hall moves too slowly. These aren't just bureaucratic delays. They have real consequences for the people who live and work here. LA needs a mayor that acts with urgency, builds a strong team, and gets things done. That's the kind of leadership I will bring to City Hall."

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