How Nithya Raman went from last-minute candidate to the L.A. mayor runoff

Key Points:

• Nithya Raman, a late entrant in the Los Angeles mayoral race, secured enough votes to advance to the November runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, with 28.6% of the vote compared to Spencer Pratt’s 25.8%.
• Raman focused her campaign on grassroots outreach, targeting renters and younger voters through nearly 100 community events, and secured $1.25 million in city matching funds to bolster her campaign.
• Raman’s campaign strategically portrayed opponent Spencer Pratt as a far-right extremist aligned with Trump-era politics, contrasting his national media presence with her local voter engagement.
• Despite efforts to consolidate progressive support by encouraging rival candidate Rev. Rae Huang to drop out, Huang remained in the race but garnered less than 3% of the vote, while Raman benefited from endorsements and a strong ground operation.
• Raman emphasized a platform of effective city governance and addressing everyday issues like potholes and streetlight repairs, positioning herself as a candidate focused on practical solutions rather than political favors.