Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman is assembling her administration by appointing veteran city hall insiders and former aides to ex-Mayor Eric Garcetti, a move that may appear to contradict her campaign promise to reform the mayor's office.
Rick Cole, a former deputy mayor under Garcetti who later worked for City Controller Kenneth Mejia, is expected to be a central figure on Raman's transition team, according to sources. Cole, a seasoned City Hall figure, brings experience but also a history of controversy.
He resigned as Santa Monica city manager in April 2020 amid a significant budget crisis, criticism of proposed spending cuts, and strained relations with public employee unions. A petition demanding his removal garnered over 2,800 signatures as the city faced a projected budget shortfall. Cole also served as an unpaid advisor to Raman’s mayoral campaign, criticizing the Bass administration’s handling of homelessness spending.
Cole is expected to work alongside Andrea Conant, Raman’s current City Council chief of staff and a former public relations executive with extensive experience in development and government projects. Conant previously worked for Consensus Inc., contributing to projects like the LAX Master Plan and the Metro Gold Line extension. Her appointment had previously drawn scrutiny due to her representation of a developer for a luxury project in Raman's council district, though Raman's office stated Conant had no ongoing financial interests in the project.
Jeff Millman, Raman’s campaign manager and a veteran Democratic strategist, also served as an advisor to Garcetti. Millman played a role in Garcetti’s communications and political strategy, including Los Angeles’ bid for the 2028 Olympics. He also managed U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's 2018 reelection campaign and Robert Luna’s successful bid for Los Angeles County Sheriff. It is not yet clear if Millman will accept a permanent role in the administration.
Dae Levine, another former Garcetti staffer, has already joined Raman's team as deputy chief of staff for policy and communications, overseeing policy priorities and public messaging. Other senior aides include Mashael Majid, deputy chief of staff for planning, housing, and community development; Communications Director Stella Stahl; and Homelessness Services Director Patrick Siggins. None have been formally confirmed for permanent mayoral positions.
Raman is set to assume office on December 14, with a tight timeline to address the city’s budget and pressing issues like homelessness. The city’s 2027 budget process is already underway, with departmental requests due by the end of November. Raman will have approximately four months after taking office to develop her first budget proposal, balancing staffing shortages, rising homelessness costs, and demand for city services.