Los Angeles, CA – In a surprise last-minute move, Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman announced her candidacy for mayor on Saturday, launching a primary challenge against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass just hours before the filing deadline. The progressive Democrat, who represents the city's 4th District, positioned herself as a dedicated fighter for Los Angeles, emphasizing the need for accountable leadership amid ongoing urban challenges.
Raman's entry into the race comes as the city prepares for a June primary election, where the top two vote-getters will advance to a November runoff. According to the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office, candidates must qualify for the ballot by either paying a $300 filing fee and submitting at least 500 valid signatures or providing 1,000 valid signatures without the fee. Nominating petitions are due by March 4, leaving Raman and other contenders a tight window to gather support.
Speaking at a press conference, Raman expressed her deep affection for the city and her readiness to take on the mayor's role. "I love this city so much and I think it needs a fighter. And I’ve demonstrated that I can be that fighter," she said, according to reports from NBCLA. She continued, "And I hope the residents of Los Angeles will see that and cast their votes for me."
Raman painted a vision of Los Angeles as a place brimming with potential, but one that requires bold action to realize. "This is a city of extraordinary possibility, extraordinary," she added. "But possibility only matters if our leadership is accountable for delivering it, and I’m ready to lead this city with seriousness, with accountability, urgency and ambition that is equal to this moment." Her announcement underscores a growing push among progressives for more aggressive responses to issues like homelessness, housing affordability, and public safety.
The councilmember's decision to run against Bass, a fellow Democrat and former U.S. Representative, marks a notable rift in the city's progressive circles. Raman informed Bass of her intentions prior to the public announcement, according to NBCLA. The two have appeared together at events, such as a February 10, 2024, gathering at Hazeltine Park in Sherman Oaks, where they discussed community matters side by side.
Raman's political background includes strong ties to the left wing of the Democratic Party. During her 2020 campaign for City Council, she received an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Los Angeles chapter, which helped propel her to victory in the 4th District. However, the relationship soured in 2024 when the DSA voted to censure her over her acceptance of an endorsement from Democrats for Israel–Los Angeles and her positions related to the war in Gaza. This internal progressive conflict highlights divisions within the movement on foreign policy and domestic priorities.
Despite the censure, Raman has built a reputation as a vocal advocate on local issues. She has been photographed at events like National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2024, in Los Angeles, where she engaged with community members on matters of equity and inclusion. Her district, which spans areas like Hollywood, Silver Lake, and parts of the San Fernando Valley, has seen her champion policies aimed at tenant protections and environmental justice.
The mayoral race is already crowded, with a total of 40 candidates having filed declarations of intention, according to the city clerk’s office. Among them are unconventional entrants like TV personality Spencer Pratt, known from reality shows, who has accused current leadership of “criminal negligence” in handling emergencies such as fire responses. Housing advocate Rae Chen Huang is also in the mix, focusing on affordability crises that have long plagued the city.
Pratt's involvement adds a layer of spectacle to the contest. He has claimed that A-listers privately support his criticisms of California leadership but fear career repercussions for speaking out publicly. His filing on Saturday at the C. Erwin Piper Technical Center's Election Division office drew attention, as did his pointed remarks on the city's governance failures.
Mayor Bass's camp responded swiftly to Raman's challenge, framing it as a distraction from ongoing progress. Douglas Herman, a campaign advisor for Bass, stated, "The last thing Los Angeles needs is a politician who opposed cleaning up homeless encampments and efforts to make our city safer." He highlighted Bass's achievements, adding, "Mayor Bass will continue changing L.A. by building on her track record delivering L.A.’s first sustained decrease in street homelessness, a 60 year-low in homicides, and the most aggressive agenda our city has ever seen to make our city more affordable."
Bass, who took office in December 2022 after defeating former Mayor Eric Garcetti's preferred successor Rick Caruso, has prioritized tackling the homelessness crisis that has defined Los Angeles for years. Her administration's efforts have included expanding shelter beds and mental health services, contributing to the reported declines in street homelessness and violent crime. However, critics like Raman argue that more urgency is needed to address root causes such as the housing shortage and income inequality.
The timing of Raman's announcement, on February 7 – a Saturday when the filing window was closing – reflects the high stakes of the race. The city's Election Division at the Piper Technical Center buzzed with activity as candidates rushed to submit paperwork. This primary challenge could reshape the Democratic landscape in Los Angeles, a city where progressives have gained ground but face tests in uniting behind a single banner.
Looking ahead, Raman must now focus on qualifying for the ballot and building a coalition. Her campaign will likely emphasize her record of fighting for working families, drawing on her experience as a former organizer with the nonprofit Strategy for Southern California. Bass, meanwhile, benefits from incumbency and a network of supporters from her congressional days, including endorsements from national figures.
The broader implications of this race extend beyond Los Angeles, signaling tensions within the national Democratic Party over progressive priorities. As the city grapples with wildfires, earthquakes, and economic pressures, voters will weigh whether Bass's steady hand or Raman's fighter spirit better suits the moment. With petitions due in less than a month, the coming weeks will see intensified campaigning across the sprawling metropolis.
Other candidates, like Pratt and Huang, may influence the field by siphoning votes or highlighting niche issues, but the primary showdown between Bass and Raman appears poised to dominate headlines. For now, the race remains fluid, with Raman yet to officially qualify, but her entry has undeniably injected new energy – and division – into the contest for one of America's most influential municipal offices.