History of Nithya Raman in Timeline

Nithya Raman is an American urban planner, activist, and politician. As a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, she serves as the Los Angeles city councilmember for the 4th district since 2020. She unseated incumbent David Ryu in 2020 and secured re-election in 2024. Her background in urban planning and activism informs her political work in Los Angeles.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

July 28, 1981: Birth of Nithya Raman

On July 28, 1981, Nithya V. Raman was born. She later became an urban planner, activist, and politician.

Others born on this day/year

2013: Move to Los Angeles

In 2013, Nithya Raman moved to Los Angeles and began working for the city administrative officer.

2017: Formation of Ground Game LA

Following Jessica Salans' defeat in the 13th district in 2017, Ground Game LA formed and was credited with helping Nithya Raman's campaign win.

2017: Founded SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition

In 2017, Nithya Raman founded and headed SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, a homelessness outreach nonprofit in Los Angeles; she also served as the executive director of Time's Up Entertainment.

2019: Declared Candidacy for Los Angeles City Council

In 2019, Nithya Raman declared her candidacy for the Los Angeles City Council, with homelessness as a central issue.

March 3, 2020: Los Angeles City Council Primary Election

On March 3, 2020, Nithya Raman faced David Ryu and Sarah Kate Levy in the primary election for Los Angeles City Council. Since no candidate received over 50% of the vote, Raman and Ryu advanced to the runoff election.

November 3, 2020: Scheduled Runoff Election

Nithya Raman and David Ryu were scheduled to participate in a runoff election on November 3, 2020, after neither candidate secured over 50% of votes in the March 3, 2020, primary election.

November 2020: Defeated Ryu in Runoff Election

In November 2020, Nithya Raman defeated David Ryu in the runoff election by a 52.87% to 47.13% margin, marking a significant political shift as the first incumbent city councilmember in Los Angeles to be successfully primaried in 17 years.

2020: Election to Los Angeles City Council

In 2020, Nithya Raman, a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated incumbent David Ryu to become the Los Angeles city councilmember for the 4th district.

2020: Endorsement Opposition

In 2020, The Los Angeles Police Protective League opposed Nithya Raman's candidacy.

April 2021: Proposed Amendments to Tenant Harassment Ordinance

In April 2021, Nithya Raman proposed amendments to a draft ordinance on tenant harassment, classifying cash buyout offers and threats to report false information as harassment, and including a rent adjustment penalty.

June 2021: Served with Recall Notice

In June 2021, just six months into her term, Nithya Raman was served with a recall notice amidst a wave of recall efforts in California.

June 2021: Tenant Harassment Ordinance Passed

In June 2021, the tenant harassment ordinance, which included amendments proposed by Nithya Raman, was passed.

September 2021: Recall Campaign Collapsed

In September 2021, the recall campaign against Nithya Raman collapsed due to the proponents' inability to gather the required signatures within the allotted time.

2021: Voted Against L.A.M.C. Section 41.18

In 2021, Nithya Raman was one of three councilmembers to vote against L.A.M.C. Section 41.18, a city ordinance that banned homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers.

February 1, 2022: Appointed to South Coast Air Quality Management District

On February 1, 2022, Nithya Raman was appointed to the board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District by Mayor Eric Garcetti.

September 2022: Statement on Armenia-Azerbaijan Clashes

In September 2022, Nithya Raman issued a statement condemning Azerbaijan's military attacks against civilians in response to the Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes.

2022: Condemned Azerbaijan's Blockade

In 2022, Nithya Raman condemned Azerbaijan's blockade of the Republic of Artsakh.

2022: Continued Opposition to L.A.M.C. Section 41.18

In 2022, Nithya Raman continued to oppose L.A.M.C. Section 41.18, reiterating her concerns about its effectiveness and impact on the homeless population.

2022: Supported Passage of Measure ULA

In 2022, Nithya Raman supported the passage of Measure ULA, also known as the "Mansion Tax".

June 2023: Arrested During Hotel Workers Protest

In June 2023, Nithya Raman was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department after refusing to disperse during a protest led by UNITE HERE Local 11 in support of local hotel workers.

November 2023: Adjourned Meeting to Memorialize Gaza Victims

In November 2023, Nithya Raman adjourned a city council meeting to memorialize the civilian lives lost in Gaza.

2023: Urged Diplomacy to End Conflict

In 2023, Nithya Raman urged the Biden administration to use diplomacy to end the conflict related to Azerbaijan's blockade.

March 2024: Won Re-election in Primary

In March 2024, Nithya Raman won her re-election in the primary with 50.6% of the vote, avoiding a November runoff.

June 2024: Introduced Resolution for Ceasefire in Gaza

In June 2024, Nithya Raman and Councilmembers Hernandez and Soto-Martinez introduced a municipal resolution to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

2024: Proposed Apartment Buildings Near Transit

In 2024, Nithya Raman proposed permitting mid-sized apartment buildings near public transit stations in some neighborhoods zoned exclusively for single-family houses, but the proposal was rejected.

2024: Received DFI-LA Endorsement and DSA Censure

In 2024, Nithya Raman received the endorsement of Democrats for Israel-Los Angeles, leading to a censure by the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, although her re-election endorsement was maintained.

2024: Re-election to Los Angeles City Council

In 2024, Nithya Raman was re-elected as the Los Angeles city councilmember for the 4th district.

2024: Continued Endorsement Opposition

In 2024, The Los Angeles Police Protective League opposed Nithya Raman's candidacy.

January 28, 2025: Appointed as Assistant President Pro Tempore

On January 28, 2025, Nithya Raman became the Council's assistant president pro tempore, succeeding Bob Blumenfield.

August 2025: Voted Against Senate Bill 79

In August 2025, Nithya Raman voted against a city council resolution to formally oppose California Senate Bill 79, a bill which overrides local zoning to allow multifamily housing near transit stops.

November 2025: Motion to Cap Rent Increase Passed

In November 2025, the city council passed a motion authored by Nithya Raman that capped the maximum annual rent increase for rent-stabilized apartments at 4%.

January 2026: Introduced Motion to Reform Measure ULA

In January 2026, Nithya Raman introduced a motion to reform Measure ULA, also known as the "Mansion Tax", citing its negative impact on new housing construction.

February 7, 2026: Announced Mayoral Candidacy

On February 7, 2026, Nithya Raman announced a challenge to incumbent Karen Bass in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election.

February 2026: Declared Candidacy for Mayor

In February 2026, Nithya Raman declared her candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles. It was also revealed that Mayor Bass had removed her from the South Coast Air Quality Management District board a month prior.

April 14, 2026: Replaced as Assistant President Pro Tempore

On April 14, 2026, Nithya Raman was replaced as the Council's assistant president pro tempore by Councilmember John Lee.

April 2026: DFI-LA Endorses Bass

As of April 2026, Democrats for Israel-Los Angeles (DFI-LA) has endorsed Karen Bass, Nithya Raman's opponent in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election.