# Kerala-born Nithya Raman elected Los Angeles mayor

> The 45-year-old Democratic Socialist defeated incumbent Karen Bass to lead America's second-largest city.
- Title: Kerala-born Nithya Raman elected Los Angeles mayor · The Hindu
- Summary: The 45-year-old Democratic Socialist defeated incumbent Karen Bass to lead America's second-largest city.
- Keywords: nithya raman, los angeles mayor, karen bass, democratic socialists of america, kerala, us election 2026, homelessness, affordable housing, The Hindu
- Source: The Hindu — https://thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-born-nithya-raman-becomes-los-angeles-mayor/article71670901.ece
- Author: The Hindu Bureau
- Published: 2026-11-05T15:55:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nithya raman, los angeles mayor, karen bass, democratic socialists of america, kerala, us election 2026, homelessness, affordable housing, news, politics
## Kerala roots, American rise
Nithya Raman, forty-five, was born in Kerala and spent early years between Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. Her parents migrated to the U.S. when she was six years old.
## Education and early activism
She graduated in Social Studies from Harvard University in two thousand three, then earned a master's degree in urban planning from MIT. She became a U.S. citizen at age twenty-two.
## Work in Indian cities
After returning to India, Raman led Transparent Chennai, which sought better sanitation in slum areas through data-driven programmes. She also participated in protests against slum dweller evictions in Delhi.
## From activist to city council
Returning to the U.S. in two thousand thirteen, Raman worked in city administration and became an activist fighting homelessness. She announced her candidacy for Los Angeles City Council in two thousand nineteen.
## Elected to city council
Her grassroots campaign centred on homelessness and environmental issues, using a wide network of volunteers. She was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in two thousand twenty.
## Defeats incumbent mayor
In a closely fought race, Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. She is the first Los Angeles mayoral candidate to defeat an incumbent since two thousand five.
## Campaign promises and vision
Raman vowed to build affordable housing, create parks for children, improve transit, and make the city safe for working people and families. Homelessness played a major role in her campaign.

> build housing that people can afford, parks for our children to play in, a transit system that can get people where they need to go, and a city that is safe for its working people and its families.
## Key takeaway

Nithya Raman, born in Kerala, defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass to become Los Angeles mayor, the first to unseat an incumbent since two thousand five.