LA sees Zohran comparisons as Nithya Raman launches mayoral bid

Councilmember Nithya Raman filed a late entry into the Los Angeles mayoral race, surprising many in City Hall and prompting comparisons to New York's Zohran Mamdani.

Nithya Raman announced an eleventh-hour campaign for mayor of Los Angeles, catching many local officials off guard. She had been a longtime ally of Mayor Karen Bass but in recent months voiced growing frustration with city government. Raman kept deliberations to a small circle and made a last-minute decision before the filing deadline. Her entry immediately drew comparisons to New York's Zohran Mamdani, in part because of shared DSA affiliation and South Asian heritage. What we know: - Raman told Playbook she had talked about frustrations with the city to many people but had not initially framed those conversations as a mayoral campaign. - Mayor Karen Bass said she learned of Raman's plan just before the public announcement and was reported as "flabbergasted," according to journalist David Dayen. - Raman decided to run late in the filing period after County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath announced she would seek reelection instead, and she is building a campaign apparatus on short notice. - Pundits noted parallels to Zohran Mamdani, but local analysts pointed to differences, including Raman's existing record on the council and a different political climate in Los Angeles. - Some progressive allies expressed surprise and reaffirmed support for Mayor Bass, and officials said Raman’s move could affect relationships at City Hall. Summary: Raman’s unexpected bid injects new competition into the mayoral contest and has unsettled some colleagues who expected continued cooperation with Mayor Bass. Her campaign is still being organized, with staff and strategy largely undetermined at this time.