Washington, October 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian-American city councilmember Nithya Raman has lost her double-digit lead over Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, with a new poll showing the two candidates tied at 40 per cent ahead of the November 3 election.
The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and conducted from October 19 to 25 among 2,197 likely voters, found both candidates at 40 per cent, while 19 per cent remained undecided. Raman had led Bass by 11 percentage points in the previous survey conducted in September.
The latest survey also found that Bass had gained support among voters who backed reality television personality Spencer Pratt in the June primary. Among this group, 41 per cent favoured Bass, compared with 14 per cent for Raman.
Raman continues to draw strong support among younger voters. She was backed by 69 per cent of likely voters aged 18 to 29, against 15 per cent for Bass. Among those aged 30 to 39, Raman led 74 per cent to 16 per cent.
However, ballot-return figures indicate lower participation among younger voters. According to data cited by the Los Angeles Times, only 13 per cent of eligible voters aged 18 to 34 had submitted ballots by Wednesday, compared with 47 per cent of those above 65.
Raman’s campaign has sought to mobilise younger voters through social media, including a video modelled on the film Mean Girls that reportedly attracted more than 200,000 views. Campaign spokesperson Liz Garcia said voters were tired of establishment politics and wanted change.
Bass, 73, has also sought to appeal to younger voters, saying she understood their concerns and respected their views.
The two candidates have secured backing from prominent supporters. Bass has received endorsements from billionaire developer Rick Caruso, her rival in the 2022 mayoral election, and former mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Raman has the support of the Sierra Club, actor Mindy Kaling and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Raman, 45, was born in Kerala and moved to the United States as a child. If elected, she would become the first Indian-American mayor of Los Angeles. The November 3 contest could also end the city’s run of incumbent mayoral re-elections, as no sitting mayor has lost since 2005.
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