Former Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner exited the L.A. Mayor’s race last Thursday following the tragic death of his 22-year-old daughter. Days later, City Councilmember Nithya Raman declared her candidacy in a surprise move.
Although Raman is more progressive than Bass, she has historically been regarded as one of her close allies. Until recently, Raman had avoided criticizing Bass over her handling of the January 2025 Palisades fire, an issue that has emerged as a major political vulnerability for the mayor.
Raman opted to throw her hat into the ring after a scathing article published last week in the Los Angeles Times. According to the Times, Bass personally ordered revisions to the fire’s after action report in an apparent effort to downplay the city’s failures.
Raman was first elected in 2020 with support from progressive groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America. She was re-elected in 2024. She represents a geographically diverse seat stretching from parts of the San Fernando Valley through Silver Lake and into the Hollywood Hills.
Considered a rising star in politics, Raman has been compared to newly-elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. But some of her positions — including her opposition to clearing homeless encampments near schools — are sure to come under scrutiny.
“The last thing Los Angeles needs is a politician who opposed cleaning up homeless encampments and efforts to make our city safer,” Bass' Campaign Advisor Douglas Herman said in a statement. “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."
On housing, Raman considers herself a YIMBY. She has supported eviction protections for renters and the city’s rent stabilization ordinance. She’s had at least one major break with the progressive wing in recent months, coming out in favor of reforming the so-called mansion tax. While Raman backed Measure ULA, she has since acknowledged that it “unintentionally stalls housing production.”
There was speculation that developer Rick Caruso and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath could run for Mayor, but they have decided to sit this one out. With the filing deadline having passed, Bass and Raman appear to be the top two contenders. The crowded field also includes reality TV star turned activist Spencer Pratt, whose home was destroyed by the Palisades fire. Pratt, a registered Republican, supports more government oversight, stronger emergency preparedness, and increased cooperation with ICE, “with a clear focus on public safety.”
The primary election is on June 2. If no candidate gets over 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held in November.