Nithya Raman, born in Thrissur, Kerala, has won the race to become Los Angeles mayor, defeating Trump-backed Karen Bass and marking a historic milestone for the city.

Raman will become Los Angeles’ first Asian American mayor and is set to take office in December 2026, amid a rapid transition as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympics.

Her victory is framed as a continuation of Los Angeles’ immigrant story, emphasizing her rise from immigrant roots to political leadership.

Raman’s career centers on homelessness and housing policy, including co-founding the SELAH Neighbourhood Homeless Coalition and leading Time’s Up Entertainment, with experience evaluating homelessness spending in the City Administrative Officer’s office.

Looking ahead, she faces the challenge of scaling housing reforms for a city of about 4 million and addressing Olympic-era governance needs ahead of the 2028 Games.

Bass, 73, was seen leaving the residence in a bright red suit and focusing on duties such as directing firefighters amid Santa Ana winds as the transition nears.

Raman’s background includes growing up in India, naturalization at 22, and education at Harvard and MIT, where she studied urban planning and housing/tenant protections.

Her early life also includes being born in 1981 in Thrissur, with formative experiences in Thiruvananthapuram, Boston, and Kerala connections.

Her public appearances, such as at the Original Farmers Market, highlighted public safety as a central concern while fielding questions from voters.

Family anecdotes from Thrissur and childhood friends illustrate her close-knit upbringing and pride expressed by relatives.

Raman managed campaigning with four-year-old twins and is married to TV writer Vali Chandrasekaran.

On the Los Angeles City Council, she championed stronger renter protections and supported lowering rent-increase limits for rent-stabilized units, shaping her housing-focused agenda.