ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Mail-in ballots lift Nithya Raman to second place in LA mayoral race
Raman is competing with Republican Spencer Pratt for second place, while incumbent Mayor Bass remains well ahead with a massive lead.
-
Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Mon, 08, Jun 2026
- 01:35 EDT
- 26
Nithya Raman / Image : X@Nithya Raman
Indian American Nithya Raman has made significant gains, edging past former second-place holder Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
Raman, who was pushed to third place when counting ended on election night, has since made significant gains after mail-in ballots were added to the count.
With 27.1 percent of the vote counted so far in her favor, compared with Pratt's 6.7 percent, Raman's gains marked a significant turnaround after she initially fell behind.
Mail-in ballots with a June 2 Election Day postmark will continue to be accepted by county election officials through June 9, making it a long-drawn battle between Raman and Pratt that could potentially go down to the wire.
ALSO READ: IA Impact endorses Nithya Raman for LA mayor
Raman now sits in second place behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, who garnered 34.7 percent of the vote as of May 7 and whom The Associated Press has already determined qualified for the runoff.
If she manages to maintain the lead, Raman will face Bass in the Nov. 3 runoff election, ending prospects for former television host and Republican Spencer Pratt.
Raman was a close aide and supporter of incumbent Mayor Bass. However, Raman has attacked Bass' policies on multiple fronts since announcing her candidacy. She criticized the existing homelessness strategies, including Bass' "Inside Safe" program, calling for changes in spending and approach.
She has also decried the sitting mayor's positions and policies on housing, cost of living and crime, among other issues.
Raman is an urban planner by training and a homelessness activist. She became the first woman sworn in to the LA City Council in 2022. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in urban planning from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Raman has secured backing from advocacy groups including Indian American Impact and Streets For All. Her political rise has also been supported by progressive networks and volunteer-driven organizing.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login