Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman has officially announced she will run for mayor in 2026, entering a growing field of rivals challenging incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and 21 other contenders representing District 4, Raman has been leading on homeless issues, rent stabilization, and climate initiatives, important voices in the city. Her entry into this election showcases growing grassroots support and an interest in progressive policy within the Los Angeles political landscape.
Councilmember Nithya Raman Announces Run for LA Mayor
- Nithya Raman declared her candidacy on February 7, 2026, at a press conference.
- She joins a competitive field including Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, Rae Chen Huang and other candidates.
- Campaign priorities include housing reform, homelessness intervention and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
- Raman’s 4th District includes Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, Reseda and parts of the San Fernando Valley.
Who is Nithya Raman
Nithya V. Raman, born July 28, 1981, is an American urban planner, activist, as well as a politician. She is a Democrat and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America party and she has been serving in the Los Angeles City Council since 2020. She caused a major upset in 2020 when she won the election by narrowly defeating incumbent councilman David Ryu in a close race.
Nithya Raman Educational Background
She received a Bachelor’s degree in political theory at Harvard University as well as a Master’s degree in urban planning at MIT. She also founded Transparent Chennai, a research firm that focuses on urban sanitation improvement in India.
Nithya Raman Personal Life
Born in Kerala, India then she moved to the United States when she was six years old and she later became a naturalized American citizen when she was twenty-two. She is a married woman to a screenwriter of TV shows, Vali Chandrasekaran and they have twin children, Karna and Kaveri. She lives in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.
Nithya Raman Career
- Founder and head of a homelessness nonprofit in Los Angeles.
- Executive Director of Time’s Up Entertainment.
- Urban planning and research initiatives focused on sustainable city development.
Nithya Raman Political Career
- 2020: Elected to LA City Council District 4, defeating incumbent David Ryu.
- 2021: Proposed amendments to tenant harassment ordinances, strengthening rent protections.
- 2021–2022: Opposed LA’s Section 41.18 homeless encampment ban near schools and daycare centers.
- 2022: Appointed to the South Coast Air Quality Management District board, focusing on public health and environmental justice.
- 2024: Re-elected to City Council with 50.6% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.
- 2026: Declared candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles.
Nithya Raman Electoral History
|
Year |
Election |
Opponent(s) |
Result |
Vote % |
|
2020 |
LA City Council District 4 Primary |
David Ryu, Sarah Kate Levy |
Advanced to runoff |
40.8% |
|
2020 |
LA City Council District 4 Runoff |
David Ryu |
Won |
52.87% |
|
2024 |
LA City Council District 4 Re-election |
Ethan Weaver, Levon Baronian |
Won outright |
50.6% |
Nithya Raman Net Worth & Salary
Nithya Raman estimated net worth is not publicly disclosed; largely derived from public service and nonprofit leadership while Average annual salary as a City Councilmember is $98,740 (range: $86,348–$112,977).
