Indian-origin Nithya Raman advances to Los Angeles mayoral runoff, defeats Republican rival

Indian-origin Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman has secured a place in the November runoff election for mayor of Los Angeles, overtaking Republican candidate Spencer Pratt as more votes were counted following the city's primary election, according to a CNN report.

Raman, a Democratic Socialist, will now face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in a head-to-head contest scheduled for November. Multiple US media organisations, including CNN and NBC News, projected Raman's advancement even as vote counting continued.

The result marks a significant development in one of the most closely watched local elections in the United States, with voters set to choose the leader of the country's second-largest city.

Raman overtakes Pratt as vote count continues

According to the report, Raman held 28.5 per cent of the vote as of late Monday, moving ahead of Republican candidate Spencer Pratt, who stood at 25.8 per cent.

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Pratt, a former reality television personality, had been running on issues such as homelessness, infrastructure problems, public safety concerns and dissatisfaction with the pace of rebuilding after the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. He was in second place on election night but gradually lost ground as additional mail-in ballots were counted.

California's election system allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they arrive several days later. As a result, election outcomes in the state often take days to become clear.

A challenge to Karen Bass

Raman is considered one of the leading progressive voices in Los Angeles politics. During the campaign, she positioned herself as an outsider advocating for affordable housing, social services and government accountability.

Following the projection of her victory, Raman thanked voters in a statement posted on social media.

"I’m incredibly honored that voters have given us the opportunity to advance to the general election for Mayor of Los Angeles," she said, adding that her campaign would continue working for a "healthier, safer, more affordable, and more joyful Los Angeles."

Mayor Karen Bass, who was first elected in 2022, also celebrated her advancement to the runoff. According to an AFP report, she said that Los Angeles voters had rejected Spencer Pratt and the "MAGA agenda."

November contest takes shape

While the Los Angeles mayoral race is officially nonpartisan, party affiliations often play an important role in voter preferences. Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans in the city, making the November contest between Bass and Raman a notable battle within the broader Democratic coalition.

Raman could present a stronger challenge to Bass than Pratt would have, given her appeal among progressive voters and her growing profile in city politics.

The runoff election will be held on November 3 alongside the broader US midterm elections, setting up a closely watched contest between the incumbent mayor and one of the city's most prominent progressive leaders.