VOI World/ Desk
Indian-American politician Nithya Raman has moved into a runoff position in the race for Mayor of Los Angeles, emerging as a strong contender in what is becoming one of the most closely watched local elections in the United States. Her late surge in the vote count has pushed her ahead of Republican-backed candidate Spencer Pratt, setting up a potential showdown with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in November.
The development has drawn attention not only because of the significance of the Los Angeles mayoral race but also because Raman could become the first Indian-American mayor of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States. Her rise comes amid growing political representation for Americans of Indian origin across major US cities and institutions.
The race has also triggered criticism from US President Donald Trump and his supporters, who questioned the election process as late-counted mail-in ballots narrowed Pratt’s initial lead. Trump described the outcome as evidence of a “rigged election” and accused California officials of favouring Democratic candidates.
Election officials, however, defended the counting process, noting that California’s voting system requires verification of signatures and allows voters to correct ballot errors. Officials said the gradual shift in results was consistent with previous elections, where mail-in ballots from urban areas are often counted later than election-day votes.
Raman’s campaign benefited from the continued processing of mail ballots, which steadily increased her vote share in the days following polling. By the latest count, she had moved several thousand votes ahead of Pratt, although final certification is still pending.
Born into a Tamil family with roots in Kerala, Raman spent part of her childhood in India before moving to the United States. She studied at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and later built a career focused on urban planning, civic engagement and local governance.
If her position holds and she succeeds in the runoff election, Raman would make history as Los Angeles’ first Indian-American mayor and one of the most prominent Indian-origin political leaders in the United States.
