Nithya Raman: The Kerala-Born Leader Making History In The LA Mayoral Race
A woman born in Kerala, who moved to the United States at the age of six is now on course to become the mayor of Los Angeles. Nithya Raman, 44, began her political career by defeating a well-funded incumbent with deep ties to the Democratic Party establishment, becoming the first person to oust a sitting LA councillor in 17 years.
Raman has been a Los Angeles City Council member for District 4 since 2020 and entered the mayoral race as a surprise candidate, announcing her bid just before the filing deadline, despite having previously endorsed the incumbent, Mayor Karen Bass. According to NBC News, her background is as unusual as her political rise. An urban planner by training, Raman is the first South Asian and the first Asian woman to serve on Los Angeles City Council.
