Nithya Raman, LA City Councilwoman, Announces Her Candidacy for Mayor
Nithya Raman Announces Candidacy for Los Angeles Mayor
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 11: Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman attended National Coming Out Day 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for BabyGay & The Black Cat)
On February 7, 2026, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman declared her candidacy for mayor, introducing herself as a challenger to the incumbent, Karen Bass. Raman, who represents the 4th Council District—including areas of the San Fernando Valley and eastern Santa Monica Mountains—made this announcement on the final day for candidates to submit their paperwork.
"Voters will decide during the June 2 Primary Election," noted the Councilwoman, as Bass seeks re-election.
During a news conference, Raman expressed shared values with Bass but emphasized the pressing issues of affordability and housing that she aims to address. “I do feel like Angelenos have really given us a lot of faith,” Raman stated, referring to their support for increased taxes to tackle affordable housing and homelessness. “If we don’t show results… I think we will lose them.”
Raman criticized budget decisions influenced by political considerations rather than the needs of citizens. “I think we can change,” she said, voicing concern that Los Angeles is losing its opportunities for residents. “Housing costs are forcing families out of the city,” she added. She also highlighted issues with the city’s homelessness response and public safety.
Challenging an Ally
Raman characterized her relationship with Bass as "strong and close," having built camaraderie over recent years. Although she had communicated her decision to run with Bass, Raman preferred to keep specific discussions private.
Acknowledging the timing of her candidacy, Raman recognized it could limit her chances for endorsements: “It’s very late in the process to get in the game… I’m OK with that,” she asserted, referring to her status as an outsider.
Douglas Herman, a campaign advisor for Bass, responded to Raman’s candidacy by stating, “The last thing Los Angeles needs is a politician who opposed cleaning up homeless encampments and efforts to make our city safer.” Herman lauded Bass’s administration for its significant strides in reducing street homelessness.
Background on Nithya Raman
Raman was first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024 to serve the 4th Council District, which encompasses areas such as Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and parts of Griffith Park and Los Feliz. As chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee, she is affiliated with the council’s more progressive members alongside colleagues Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto-Martinez, and Ysabel Jurado.
Mayoral Landscape for 2026
In recent political developments, billionaire developer Rick Caruso confirmed he would not run for mayor in 2026, while Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath decided to focus on her re-election campaign. Austin Beutner, a former LAUSD superintendent, withdrew from the mayoral race following the loss of his daughter.
In addition to Raman, other candidates challenging Bass include TV personality Spencer Pratt, former tech executive Adam Miller, community organizer Rae Huang, and engineer Asaad Alnajjar.
Historically, of the ten Los Angeles mayors who have sought a second term since 1925, only two have failed to secure re-election.
The statewide primary election will take place on June 2, 2026, with a general election scheduled for November 3, 2026, should no candidate receive a majority of the vote.
