The race for Los Angeles mayor has been shaken up at the last minute.
City Councilmember Nithya Raman has announced she is running for mayor, mounting a surprise challenge to Karen Bass just hours before the filing deadline for the June primary.
In an interview with the LA Times, Raman, who previously endorsed Bass and has worked closely with her on housing and homelessness, says Los Angeles needs “big changes” in how the city operates. While calling Bass “an icon” she deeply respects, Raman says recent months convinced her the city requires a new approach on issues including housing, homelessness, transparency, and public safety.
She called Bass “an icon” and someone she deeply admires. But she said the city needs a change agent to address its problems.
Her late entry caps a turbulent week in L.A. politics, with multiple potential challengers dropping out of the race. Former L.A. schools superintendent Austin Beutner ended his campaign Thursday, while developer Rick Caruso reaffirmed he would not run.
Raman’s decision comes as Bass faces growing criticism over the city’s handling of the Palisades fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Raman has not publicly criticized the mayor’s response but says voters deserve a choice in leadership.
Raman, who represents a district stretching from Silver Lake to Reseda, has strong ties to progressive groups, the Democratic Socialists of America, and housing advocates pushing for increased development and zoning reform.
Bass, who is seeking a second term, now faces a crowded field of more than two dozen challengers from across the political spectrum. Raman will keep her City Council seat regardless of the election outcome, as she is not up for reelection until 2028.
The June primary is set for June 2.
Recent Comments