Los Angeles Councilwoman Nithya Raman surpassed reality TV star Spencer Pratt on June 8, 2026, securing second place in the city’s open primary mayoral race. This positions her to face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the November runoff election.
Despite significant media attention on the election, Raman has received comparatively less coverage. While Pratt has gained millions of views for his campaign videos, Raman has focused on her policy points without much media spotlight.
Raman, a mother of two and a career urban planner, began her public policy career advocating for resources for the homeless in Los Angeles. In 2017, she founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, which aims to provide community-led responses to homelessness. She won her first City Council seat in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024.
On the council, Raman addresses issues such as homelessness, environmental concerns, and land use. Her campaign for mayor emphasizes progressive policies, criticizing Bass for the city’s high cost of living and homelessness rates. Raman’s platform includes proposals for intensive case management for the homeless, limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and enhancing public safety responses.
Raman’s opponents have characterized her as too radical for Los Angeles. Bass’s spokesman criticized her for allowing encampments near schools and opposing increased police hiring. Pratt has also criticized her, claiming she lacks understanding of the issues facing the homeless population.
As the election results continue to be counted, Bass has secured 34.7% of the vote, while Raman and Pratt are closely competing for the second spot with 27.1% and 26.7%, respectively. The counting process has faced scrutiny, particularly from Republican figures, including President Donald Trump, who supports Pratt.