India-born democratic socialist Nithya Raman has won the Los Angeles mayoral election, defeating incumbent Karen Bass to become the city’s first South Asian mayor.
The 45-year-old urban planner and Los Angeles City Council member secured a historic victory after Bass conceded the closely contested race on November 5. Raman becomes the first challenger to defeat a sitting Los Angeles mayor since 2005.
Raman, who entered politics as an advocate for housing rights and homeless communities, was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020.
Backed by progressive groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, she campaigned on affordable housing, homelessness, public safety and improving basic city services.
Her victory marks a significant political shift in America’s second-largest city as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics.
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