Indian-origin Nithya Raman elected Los Angeles mayor, makes history

Indian-born Nithya Raman has scripted history by winning the mayoral race in Los Angeles, becoming the first South Asian to hold the position in the nation's second-largest city. The 45-year-old Democratic Socialist, who previously served as a Los Angeles City Council member, defeated 73-year-old incumbent Karen Bass in the November 3 mid-term elections.

Raman's election places Los Angeles alongside New York City, which is also governed by an Indian-descent Democratic Socialist mayor. The development underscores the growing political representation of Indian-origin leaders in major American metropolitan centres.

In a video statement posted on social media, Raman expressed her gratitude to voters and campaign volunteers. "Los Angeles, I am deeply honoured to be your next Mayor. Thank you to the thousands of people who knocked on doors, sent texts, made phone calls, convinced their neighbours to believe in the promise of this big, beautiful, joyful city that we get to call home," she said.

Raman paid homage to Bass, acknowledging her predecessor's historic tenure as Los Angeles's first woman mayor and her decades of public service contributions. Raman pledged to work diligently to earn the trust of residents and advance the city's interests during her tenure.