Asian Americans to hold all three top Los Angeles city jobs

Los Angeles will enter a new political era as its three top elected positions are set to be filled by Asian American officials for the first time. Mayor-elect Nithya Raman, City Attorney-elect Marissa Roy, and Controller Kenneth Mejia will hold these offices following the midterm elections held last week.

Raman arrived in the United States from India at age six. She previously served on the City Council, where she became the first Asian American woman and the first South Asian council member in 2020. Roy’s mother also emigrated from India, and Roy has cited her heritage as a central part of her campaign. Mejia, who is Filipino, secured a second four-year term in June, making him the first Asian American elected to a citywide office in the city.

Community leaders described the outcome as the result of decades of organizing. Manjusha P. Kulkarni, executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, stated that the group’s work over many years has led to this representation. She noted that Asian American voters have shifted toward more progressive candidates, moving away from a perception of being largely conservative. Both Raman and Roy received endorsements from the Democratic Socialists of America, while Mejia was recommended by the group.

The election results place Los Angeles alongside New York City as a major U.S. city led by a South Asian American. New York’s Zohran Mamdani, born to Indian parents, also won his race. Raman addressed the significance of her victory in her first speech as mayor-elect, noting that voters chose an immigrant for the role while the federal government pursues mass deportations. She described the decision as deeply moving given the current national climate.

Roy’s campaign emphasized her immigrant family background. She co-created a Bollywood dance mix for a South Asian-themed fundraiser and used her social media channels to share cultural content. Roy said her win represents a moment for the immigrant community, noting that family members in India watched her victory closely. She described the event as Los Angeles defining its identity through leadership.

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing population in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. In Los Angeles, they make up about 12% of the population and represent more than one million eligible voters in the county, per census data analysis by Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California. Dahni Tsuboi, the organization’s chief executive, said it is time for political leadership to reflect the community’s role in shaping the city's future.

Zahra Hajee, president of Asian Democrats of L.A. County, attended both the Roy and Raman election night parties. She described the prospect of two South Asian women leading the city as a surreal feeling she did not expect to witness in her lifetime. Her organization, which has about 1,000 members, endorsed both candidates early and helped connect Raman with local business owners in areas like Little Bangladesh.

Nina Long, policy manager for AAPI Force, observed that the candidates treated the Asian American and Pacific Islander community as diverse rather than a single voting bloc. She said the candidates showed savvy in reaching different groups, including Chinese, Korean, and Filipino voters. Mejia, a Green Party member, said the win reflects progressive values centered on people rather than special interests. He noted that many Asian Americans, particularly younger generations, are now paying closer attention to politics.

The City Council already has three Asian American members: Raman, Ysabel Jurado, and John Lee. Jurado, who represents District 14, became the first Filipina elected to the council in 2024. In a statement, she said the new leadership reflects generations of community organizing. She added that the group looks forward to pushing for policies that make living in Los Angeles more affordable.