Indian American Nithya Raman Apologizes Over Police Chief Remark, Secures Key Endorsement in LA Mayoral Race
LOS ANGELES — Indian American mayoral candidate Nithya Raman has apologized for invoking controversial former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates, even as her campaign gained a significant boost with an endorsement from Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath ahead of the November 3 election.
Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member challenging incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, reportedly apologized privately to a South Los Angeles community organization and publicly during a podcast appearance following criticism of her reference to Gates.
Politico’s California Playbook newsletter reported the apologies Wednesday, following an October 16 Los Angeles Times report detailing the controversy.
Gates, who led the Los Angeles Police Department during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, remains a deeply divisive figure, particularly among residents of South Los Angeles. His tenure continues to draw criticism over police practices and relations with minority communities.
The controversy comes at a critical point in the mayoral campaign, with early in-person voting scheduled to begin October 24.
Despite the criticism, Raman secured a major political endorsement from Horvath, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, on October 20.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Horvath is the only county supervisor to endorse Raman in her challenge against Bass.
The endorsement provides Raman with a prominent regional political ally as she seeks to broaden support beyond her progressive base.
Meanwhile, businessman Rick Caruso, who unsuccessfully challenged Bass in the 2022 mayoral election, has declined to endorse either candidate.
Caruso praised Bass but expressed concerns about Raman’s proposal to replace Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, according to NBC Los Angeles.
The future leadership of the police department has emerged as a major point of disagreement between the candidates.
Raman has called for a change in the department’s leadership, while critics of her proposal argue that Los Angeles needs continuity and stability in its law enforcement operations.
Beyond policing, Raman has sought to distinguish herself from Bass on housing affordability, homelessness and the delivery of municipal services.
She has also proposed an audit of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as rising utility bills become an increasingly important issue for city residents.
According to ABC7, the proposed audit is part of Raman’s effort to address concerns about utility costs and accountability in city government.
Bass, meanwhile, has emphasized her administration’s efforts to reduce street homelessness and manage the city’s recovery from the devastating January 2025 wildfires, particularly in Pacific Palisades.
The competing priorities have shaped a closely watched contest over the future direction of the nation’s second-largest city.
Raman, who was born in Kerala, India, and spent part of her childhood in Zambia before immigrating to the United States, made history in 2020 when she became the first Indian American and first Asian American woman elected to the Los Angeles City Council.
She has built her political identity around progressive policies addressing housing, homelessness, environmental sustainability and government accountability.
Her campaign against Bass represents a challenge to the city’s established political leadership and reflects broader debates within the Democratic Party over public safety, affordability and progressive governance.
The Bass campaign had not immediately responded to reports of Raman’s apology.
Los Angeles voters will be able to cast ballots in person beginning October 24, when 11-day voting centers open ahead of Election Day on November 3.
If elected, Raman would become the first Indian American to serve as mayor of Los Angeles, marking another milestone in Indian American political representation in the United States. (Source: IANS)
