Nithya Raman is a progressive Indian urban planner, activist and politician who is now one of the most vocal progressive voices in Los Angeles politics. Raman is widely recognized for her work in housing, homelessness and government reform and is a Los Angeles City Councilmember for District 4.
She is a community activist, tirelessly working to solve urban problems and speaking for others who don’t have a voice. Years of service and dedication to the community and to finding solutions to the problems facing the urban community reflect her path from community activist to elected official.
Quick Info |
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| Real Name: | Nithya Raman |
| Birth Date: | July 28, 1981 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 44 Years |
| Birth Place: | Kerala, India |
| Parents: | Venkit Raman |
| Husband: | Vali Chandrasekaran |
Early Life
Nithya Raman was born in Kerala, India, on 28th July, 1981, to a Tamil family. At age 6, she emigrated to the United States with her family to first live in Louisiana and later Massachusetts. Her immigrant status provided her with an understanding of cultural identity, opportunity and social inequalities that influenced her political views.
Raman was one of the best students and attended Harvard University, graduating in political theory. She then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to earn a master’s degree in urban planning. She had a solid background in public policy, housing, transportation, and city development through her studies.
After graduating, Raman worked in India for a while setting up a research program, Transparent Chennai. The organization was interested in enhancing the governance and sanitation system in the city and citizen participation in city governance.
Career
Before turning to electoral politics, Nithya Raman was a professional planner, public policy consultant and homelessness advocate. She then transferred to Los Angeles, where she spent time in the office of the City Administrative Officer analyzing the City’s homelessness and housing expenditures.
This allowed her to learn firsthand about the issues one might encounter in one of the largest cities in America. In 2017, Raman was part of the founding board of the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, a non-profit organization that offers outreach, resources and community engagement to those who are homeless.
Nithya Raman was also able to expand her credibility as a trusted voice for the issue of homelessness by leading this coalition. She was also the executive director of the coalition for equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, Time’s Up Entertainment.
The “Mother of the LGBT Movement,” Raman first ran in City Council District 4 in 2019 and was elected. She campaigned as an outsider that prioritized issues of housing affordability, solutions for homelessness, climate action and accountability for government.
She garnered momentum and thousands of volunteers all across the city. In November 2020 she defeated incumbent councilmember (and first Asian-American councilmember) David Ryu to become the first challenger to defeat a sitting Los Angeles City Council member in the past 19 years. The win was seen as a huge political surprise.
Since taking office in December 2020, Raman has been advocating for policies designed to improve the lives of tenants, increase affordable housing, improve public transit and end homelessness. She has been instrumental in enhancing tenant protections and is a longstanding advocate of housing-first principles of homelessness.
Throughout her career, she has been actively advocating for the environmental justice, sustainable urban design and open government. In 2024, Raman secured an outright victory in the primary, achieving a 45% turnout and successfully being re-elected to the City Council.
Two years later, she announced herself as a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles to be a progressive alternative who would prioritize affordability, housing and government reform. She has been raised even more to local and national prominence in her mayoral campaign.
Personal Life
Nithya Raman is married to veteran television writer-producer Vali Chandrasekaran who has written and produced various popular comedies, including Modern Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and 30 Rock. They grew up at Harvard, becoming friends at the university, and have lived their lives together in public service, creation and raising a family.
The duo has garnered media limelight due to Chandrasekaran’s Hollywood success and Raman’s rise in the political arena. Despite their hectic working lives, they have been coming to each others’ aid in their professional lives. Raman has shared good sentiments regarding the need for a city to be inclusive towards future generations and a positive outlook on having a family in LA. The couple calls the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles their home.
Social Media
Nithya Raman is active on digital platforms, interacting directly with the constituents, disseminating changes in policies, and encouraging engagement in the community through social media. She has approximately 54,000 followers on Instagram @cds4losangeles and regularly posts information on her campaign, city council projects, community events, and glimpses into her public service career.
Nithya Raman Net Worth
As per credible sources, Nithya Raman’s official personal net worth has yet to be officially released as of 2026. When it comes to elected officials, they don’t have to publish detailed net-worth statements like many other business figures or entertainers. However, public records reveal that Raman and her husband have a home in Los Angeles, and her salary as a city councilor can be used to fund their family, along with Chandrasekaran’s prolific career in the writing and producing of TV shows.
