Nithya Raman to Take Office as Los Angeles Mayor
Raman's term is scheduled to begin December 14, joining New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in leading the two largest U.S. cities.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in City Hall
Nithya Raman is set to take office as Los Angeles Mayor on December 14, succeeding Karen Bass, who continues to serve until the transition. Raman, born in Kerala, moved to the United States at age 6.
Why it matters
Los Angeles and New York, the nation's two largest cities with a combined population of about 12.5 million residents, will both be led by mayors born outside the United States. The shift adds to a growing group of South Asian and immigrant-born officials leading American municipalities.
Los Angeles has about 3.9 million residents, and the transition is scheduled for December 14, 32 days from the date of this report. The source does not specify Raman's initial priorities or any changes to city departments.
The players
Nithya Raman
Nithya Raman is a Los Angeles politician set to become mayor of the city, having been born in Kerala and raised in the United States from age 6.
Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani is the New York Mayor, born in Kampala, Uganda, and son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani.
Karen Bass
Karen Bass is the current Los Angeles Mayor, who continues to serve until Raman takes office.
The details
Raman was born in Kerala and moved to the United States at age 6. Zohran Mamdani, who took office as New York Mayor on January 1, was born in Kampala, Uganda, to filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. Karen Bass remains Los Angeles Mayor until Raman's term begins.
Timeline
December 14: Nithya Raman's Los Angeles term is scheduled to begin.
January 1: Zohran Mamdani took office as New York Mayor.
Political Context
Mamdani's January 1 swearing-in in New York set a parallel for leadership change in the nation's two largest cities. Raman's December 14 start in Los Angeles extends that pattern of immigrant-born mayors leading major American cities.
Los Angeles residents will see a change in city leadership when Raman takes office on December 14. The source does not describe how city services or policies will change under the new administration.
The takeaway
Leadership changes in the nation's largest cities are increasingly led by immigrant-born officials, a trend worth tracking as new administrations take office. Residents can follow city announcements as the December transition approaches.
What happens next
Nithya Raman's term as Los Angeles Mayor is scheduled to begin December 14.
Further reading
Follow local coverage in the City Hall section for updates on the Los Angeles mayoral transition.
