Following the political blueprint of New York City’s newly elected Indian-origin Mayor Zohran Mamdani, LA Councilmember Nithya Raman has entered the mayoral race
In a significant shake-up of Los Angeles politics, City Councilmember Nithya Raman has officially launched her bid for mayor, drawing immediate comparisons to New York City’s newly elected progressive firebrand, Zohran Mamdani.
Raman joining the race sets up a tough battle with Mayor Karen Bass and shows the growing presence of South Asian progressive leaders in major US cities.
‘Mamdani of the West’
The comparison to
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has become the central narrative of Raman’s campaign launch.
Much like Mamdani, who recently shocked the political establishment by winning
Gracie Mansion on a platform of radical housing reform and sanctuary protections, Raman is positioning herself as the voice of a “fractured” but energised left.
Supporters have dubbed her the “LA Mamdani,” noting that both leaders share a background in grassroots activism and the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
The comparison goes deeper than surface similarities; it reflects a shared policy vision. Both leaders, who have Indian roots, have been outspoken critics of federal immigration enforcement. Mamdani recently signed executive orders barring ICE from using NYC property—a step Raman is expected to champion in Los Angeles. Critics, however, raise questions about the “it factor,” wondering if Raman’s pragmatic background in urban planning can match the high-energy charisma that helped Mamdani secure victory in New York.
The rise of leaders like Raman and Mamdani comes at a time of intense global friction. While Raman focuses on local issues like homelessness and rent control, her candidacy is inevitably viewed through the lens of shifting international alliances. The recent “interim trade framework” between the US and India, which saw President Trump claim that New Delhi would halt Russian oil imports, has created a complex backdrop for Indian-American politicians.
Mamdani has already made waves by challenging Trump’s narrative on South Asian security, notably during an Oval Office meeting where the President claimed to have “solved” the India-Pakistan conflict. As Raman enters the fray, she inherits a political landscape where domestic progressivism is increasingly intertwined with global identity.
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