Nithya Raman, the City Council member who edged out Spencer Pratt to secure the second spot in the Los Angeles mayoral race, has a competitive contest ahead of her.
The Democrat will face her one-time ally, LA’s incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, in the November run-off after earning 28.6% of the vote to Pratt’s 25.8%.
Raman initially trailed behind Pratt, who was favoured by U.S. President Donald Trump, but as California’s notoriously slow vote-counting process progressed, she steadily gained ground.
“I’m incredibly honored that voters have given us the opportunity to advance to the general election for Mayor of Los Angeles,” Raman said. “Now our fight for a healthier, safer, more affordable, and more joyful Los Angeles continues.”
She framed her candidacy as a break from the status quo, positioning herself as a progressive alternative leading a movement intent on building “a city that works for everyone.”
Raman executed the element of surprise early on when she entered the LA mayoral race in February, just hours before the deadline and after she had already endorsed Bass’ re-election campaign.
Read More: Trump Accuses California Democrats of ‘Cheating’ Over Pace of Vote Counts
Here’s what to know about Raman as she makes her bid to lead the nearly four million residents that make up California’s largest city.
Raman, a mother of two, MIT graduate, and trained urban planner described her first campaign for LA City Council back in 2020 as a “complete outsider” effort, run without a “political machine.”
Raman went on to unexpectedly defeat incumbent council member David Ryu, who had been endorsed by Hillary Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Her campaign drew attention—and votes—from a younger crowd who were concerned about rent and wider living costs. It also came amid the politically-charged backdrop of George Floyd’s death and marked a time where young voters were looking for alternatives.
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