Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Nithya Raman Wins LA City Council Seat, Unseating Incumbent David Ryu
Nithya Raman attends Hollywood's Change Makers on March 12, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Marie Claire)
()
Nithya Raman, the progressive challenger for incumbent David Ryu's seat on L.A.'s City Council District 4, has won.
After four days of vote count updates, Ryu provided a statement at 5 p.m. on Friday, conceding the election:
"The voters of District Four have spoken, and I respect the outcome of this election. I am proud of the race we ran, and I will always be proud of the diverse coalition behind this campaign ... I congratulate my opponent on her victory. Having won on a wave of reform five years ago, I know how difficult it is to implement change in City Hall. I wish her success in continuing our shared goal of reform in local government and in serving our City."
The 4th District includes Laurel Canyon, Toluca Lake, Los Feliz, Larchmont, Hancock Park and parts of Silver Lake, Koreatown, Hollywood and Sherman Oaks. The race centered around homelessness and campaign ethics.
Support for LAist comes from
Council President Nury Martinez welcomed Raman to the council today.
"Congratulations to Councilwoman-Elect Nithya Raman on her victory in Council District 4," she said in a press release. "I know she will contribute to the diversity of perspectives on our City Council, and I look forward to working with her in strengthening our City.”
Raman is newcomer to politics, but managed to capture the progressive sector of Angelenos in her district. An urban planner and co-founder of the outreach organization SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, Raman was previously the executive director of Time's Up Entertainment. (Read Raman's full biography on her campaign website.)
MORE INFO ON THE RACE FOR CD4:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity. -
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said. -
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes. -
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028.
Best of LAist