On a night filled with mixed emotions at a downtown brewery, Nithya Raman addressed her supporters. Despite being outspent by her rivals and facing criticism, she stood before them as the votes came in for the Los Angeles mayoral primary.
Initially, Raman lagged behind Karen Bass and Spencer Pratt. Despite her acknowledgment of the challenges her campaign faced, she remained optimistic. “We may not get an answer we like,” she told her supporters. “But regardless of what happens next, nobody can take away what all of us have built together.” Raman’s evening concluded with her dancing among supporters, a display of her enduring positivity.
This attitude soon bore fruit. As votes continued to be counted, Raman surpassed Pratt, setting up a runoff against Bass for the November election. Her decision to run had caught many by surprise, eliciting accusations of betrayal from some quarters given her past support for Bass. Nevertheless, Raman’s efforts paid off. She secured endorsements from two influential groups: the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) L.A. chapter and Unite Here Local 11, a significant hospitality workers union.
The DSA’s endorsement heralds an array of grassroots campaigns reaching out to voters on Raman’s behalf. Meanwhile, Unite Here’s backing lends her campaign a working-class credibility that had previously been absent. These endorsements were far from assured. Concerns had arisen over Raman’s stances diverging from the party line on issues like police funding and taxation.
Despite these challenges, Raman has demonstrated her resilience time and again. Her journey began with her unexpected victory over City Council incumbent David Ryu in 2020. Later, an infamous leaked audio revealed plans by City Hall insiders to redraw district maps against her favor, plans which she ultimately overcame by winning the 2024 primary outright.
In this year’s mayoral primary, despite being outshone by Bass and Pratt financially and enduring a lackluster debate performance, Raman has capitalized on missteps by her rivals. Her ability to rally support amid setbacks has drawn attention, with some comparing her perseverance to a force of nature.
Yet, Raman still faces significant hurdles. Karen Bass is an experienced opponent with a track record of electoral success, defending her position through various crises during her term. Raman’s need to garner support across various regions of the city remains crucial, while remaining mindful of criticisms labeling her as excessively left-leaning.
Raman’s conviction, however, remains unshaken. Addressing her supporters, she emphasized their collective refusal to adhere to the status quo. Her father, Venkit, fondly highlighting the significance of her name, described her as “a constant, unstoppable force that brings life to the land.” Time will reveal how far Raman’s impact will reach in Los Angeles politics.