Nitya Raman’s Campaign Shift on Police Defunding

Nitya Raman, a candidate for mayor in Los Angeles, is now distancing herself from her earlier stance on defunding the police. This shift comes as she faces growing competition from incumbent Karen Bass and reality TV star Spencer Pratt, potentially straining her connection with her more progressive supporters.

Raman, a Democratic Socialist City Council member, previously advocated for defunding the police during a peak of activism in 2020. Yet, in the current race, she’s starting to publicly abandon that controversial viewpoint.

During a recent interview with CNN’s Jessica Dean, Raman attempted to redefine her image, now focusing on public safety. “I think we need to be able to respond to calls for help. Security is very important, but our police force has been significantly reduced,” she stated.

Dean pressed her, asking directly if she still believed in defunding the police. “No,” Raman responded.

When questioned about her sudden change in position, Raman attributed it to increasing demands for public safety within the city. “We need to ensure that we can respond adequately to calls for service,” she explained, emphasizing the need to maintain police force size.

This policy shift aligns with Raman’s gradual softening of her previously firm stance over recent months. After launching her campaign in February, she indicated support for keeping current LAPD staffing levels.

Raman’s pivot has provided Pratt with new material to criticize her, branding her as a representation of opportunistic politics. In a video shared on X, he remarked, “Nitya Raman is a perfect example. When defunding the police was popular, she joined in. Now, because her family feels less secure, she suddenly opposes it. How can anyone trust her?”

Having served on the City Council since 2020, Raman is facing mounting scrutiny, especially as concerns about crime and homelessness dominate the race. Pratt has also targeted Bass, blaming her for inadequate responses during the devastating wildfires that affected parts of Los Angeles in early 2025.

As of now, the repercussions from Raman’s reversal seem to be impacting her campaign negatively. According to the latest predictions from Karshi’s market, Bass is in the lead with a 49% chance of winning, followed by Pratt at 29%, while Raman has dropped to 18%. A week prior to the upcoming debate, reports indicated that Bass’s previous commanding lead of 50% had dwindled.