Bob Odenkirk Voices Nithya Raman Mayoral Ad Timed to Emmys

Los Angeles mayoral challenger Nithya Raman has turned to a familiar Hollywood voice for her latest pitch to voters.

The City Councilmember, who faces incumbent Karen Bass in the November election, released a 30-second campaign ad voiced by actor Bob Odenkirk, according to Deadline. The spot promises she will "fight to keep Hollywood in Hollywood." It was set to drop just before the local NBC affiliate's Emmy Awards broadcast on Monday night.

The ad borrows the language of awards season. It uses a For Your Consideration theme, the slogan studios put on adverts courting awards voters, and opens with the line, "For your consideration: A mayor who loves L.A. as much as we do."

That timing puts it directly in front of an entertainment audience. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards airs live Monday from downtown Los Angeles on NBC and Peacock at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, hosted by Mariska Hargitay.

Odenkirk is described as a longtime supporter of Raman. Raman advanced to the November run-off, a final head-to-head vote between the top two finishers, after a primary against Bass and Spencer Pratt, securing the second run-off spot in July. Pratt was described by The Hollywood Reporter as Raman's upstart reality-show rival.

What makes this stand out is the slot. Campaigns often buy time around big telecasts to reach a lot of viewers in one go. An Emmys audience in Los Angeles is a direct line to the film and television labour force. A 30-second buy is short. It has to land fast.

The state of Hollywood is a central issue in the contest, alongside affordability, crime and homelessness, the Los Angeles Times has reported. Bass contends Raman has not taken meaningful action on the city's production crisis, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Raman currently represents District 4 on the council.

Her 2026 mayoral campaign operates as Nithya for the City and lists nithyaforthecity.com as its official website. Voters decide in November.