Los Angeles’ mayoral race took an emotional turn Tuesday night as candidate Nithya Raman watched early returns place her behind Republican candidate Spencer Pratt in the battle to advance to November’s runoff election.
Raman, a Los Angeles city councilwoman and self-described democratic socialist, entered the race in February after previously backing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Her campaign sought to attract progressive voters who had grown dissatisfied with Bass’ handling of key issues facing the city, particularly homelessness and housing affordability.
As vote totals continued to come in, Bass maintained a clear lead with 34.8% of the vote, according to figures reported by the Associated Press. Pratt held second place with 30.4%, while Raman trailed in third with 22.3%. Roughly 60% of votes had been counted, and election officials had not yet officially confirmed which candidate would secure the second spot in the November runoff.
The atmosphere at Raman’s election night event shifted noticeably as the results became clearer. While she initially smiled and thanked supporters, campaign staff, and her husband, the emotional weight of the evening became evident when she addressed her two children.
“I hope you know that everything every person in this room is fighting for in this campaign has been about building a city that’s worthy of you, and every child in this city,” Raman said through tears while speaking directly to her ten-year-old twins.
The moment highlighted the high stakes of a campaign that centered heavily on Los Angeles’ ongoing struggles with homelessness, housing costs, and public services. Raman has frequently argued that the city’s housing shortage represents one of its most pressing challenges, describing affordable housing as a moral imperative for local government.
Yet homelessness has also become a point of criticism for her campaign.
Raman previously secured more than $4 million in state funding intended to address homeless encampments along a 19-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River. According to reports, the funding remained largely unspent nearly two years after it was awarded. During that period, dozens of homeless individuals reportedly continued living in encampments along the river corridor.
A spokesperson for Raman attributed the delays to administrative and contracting hurdles, expressing frustration that resources intended for outreach and housing programs had not moved more quickly into implementation.
Even as the election results appeared to move against her, Raman used her speech to reaffirm many of the progressive themes that defined her campaign. She spoke about a vision for Los Angeles that included resistance to federal immigration enforcement efforts and support for LGBTQ communities.
“We stand up against ICE, where we show up for our gay and trans siblings,” Raman told supporters.
As of Wednesday, Raman had not conceded the race. With ballots still being counted and the final outcome not yet certified, her campaign remained alive, though the path to the runoff appeared increasingly difficult.
