New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- Kerala-born Nithya Raman has won the Los Angeles mayoral race, becoming the first Indian-American elected to lead the city. Incumbent Karen Bass conceded defeat and pledged a smooth transition, paving the way for Raman, an urban planner and city council member, to lead America's second-largest metropolis.

Raman's victory makes her the city's first South Asian mayor. She began her political journey with her election to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020, becoming the first Asian-American woman and the first South Asian elected to the council. She secured another mandate in 2024.

"Los Angeles, I am deeply honoured to be your next mayor," Raman wrote on X on November 5. Bass said she had called Raman to congratulate ...