On November 6, Council District 4 incumbent Councilmember David Ryu conceded to challenger Nithya Raman in the hotly contested race to represent a sprawling council district that includes Silver Lake. Raman will join the 15-member city council on December 15.

 

In an emailed statement to CBS News, Ryu said, “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.”

 

Raman, a homeless advocate, was backed by the Democratic Socialists of America and Senator Bernie Sanders. (The majority of [CD4] voted for Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren in the primary.) According to the L.A. Times, she campaigned on proposals for setting up community access centers for homeless residents and significantly decreasing the size of the Los Angeles Police Department.

 

LAist reported that the seeds for Raman's victory grew out of Jessica Salans' unsuccessful 2017 campaign for city council, when she challenged CD 13 Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell.

 

Silver Lake Together thanks Councilmember Ryu for his exceptional work on behalf of Silver Lake, especially for being a caring steward for wildlife and the environment; his FEMA-like response to homelessness; saving jobs, introducing paid parental leave, and fighting to protect renters; cleaning up City Hall – and his outstanding staff. We join him in congratulating Nithya Raman and wish her success.