Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman has reversed her previous stance on defunding the police, a move that may alienate her far-left supporters.
Raman, a Democratic socialist and city councilwoman, had previously advocated for reducing police funding during the 2020 protests. Now, as she competes against incumbent Karen Bass and reality TV star Spencer Pratt in the race for City Hall, she is shifting her focus to public safety.
During a recent interview with CNN’s Jessica Dean, Raman emphasized the importance of maintaining the police force to ensure the city can respond to public safety calls. “Public safety is incredibly important, and our police force has shrunk significantly,” she said. When asked if she still supports defunding the police, Raman replied, “No.”
Raman’s change in position comes after months of gradually softening her stance. Shortly after launching her campaign in February, she expressed support for maintaining current LAPD staffing levels. Her opponents have seized on this policy shift, with Pratt criticizing her for what he describes as convenience-driven politics. “When defunding the police was trendy with her base, she leaned in. Now that families are less safe, suddenly she’s against it,” Pratt said in a video on X.
The political fallout from Raman’s U-turn is evident in recent polls. Prediction markets show Bass leading with a 49% chance of victory, Pratt at 29%, and Raman dropping to 18%. This marks a significant decline from her previous 50% lead.
Pratt, running as an independent, has also criticized Bass for her handling of public safety and the 2025 wildfires. Pratt’s campaign is gaining momentum, with many voters undecided ahead of the June 2 election.
The race remains heated, with public safety and crime as central issues. As the election approaches, candidates continue to vie for support from Los Angeles residents, who are increasingly concerned about safety and homelessness.
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