Left-Wing L.A. Mayoral Candidate Touts Yellow Paint On Cracked Street As ‘Infrastructure’

Los Angeles Democratic mayoral candidate Nithya Raman drew ridicule after proudly celebrating the completion of a crosswalk requested late last year, even as her before-and-after photos showed the cracked pavement beneath it remained unrepaired. 

“The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council alerted our office in late 2025 to the need for a crosswalk at Sunset Dr. and Bates St., which has just been completed,” Raman, a far-left member of the Los Angeles City Council, wrote Wednesday. “Thank you to our incredible CD4 Field Team for continuing to problem-solve, push for solutions, and make our streets safer.” 

Raman did not specify when in late 2025 her office received the request, adding to the uncertainty of precisely how long the project took to complete. Her post also did not identify which city agency installed the crosswalk.

Spencer Pratt, the former reality television star who finished third behind Raman in the June mayoral primary, mocked the announcement.

Pratt wrote: “Nithya Raman’s big accomplishment is taking 9 months to paint 7 yellow stripes over a cracked street? How dumb do you have to be to post this?” 

The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council alerted our office in late 2025 to the need for a crosswalk at Sunset Dr. and Bates St., which has just been completed!

Thank you to our incredible CD4 Field Team for continuing to problem-solve, push for solutions, and make our streets safer. pic.twitter.com/AmNAyPAhdR

— Councilmember Nithya Raman (@cd4losangeles) August 26, 2026

Raman’s graphic, labeled “Street Infrastructure,” showed that yellow crosswalk stripes had been added to the intersection. Large cracks visible in the pavement before the project remained afterward.

Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro called the post “beyond parody.”

“Eight months to paint some yellow lines,” Shapiro said. “Huge infrastructure victory! Make her mayor!” 

Pratt initially held second place on election night in L.A.’s nonpartisan mayoral primary. Raman overtook him as additional vote-by-mail ballots were counted and ultimately advanced to the November runoff against incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass.

Raman has represented L.A. City Council District 4 since December 2020 and won a second term in 2024. She has prioritized rent control, supporting climate initiatives, and alternatives to traditional law enforcement responses. She also supported expanding sanctuary-city policies.