From left: Spencer Pratt, Karen Bass and Nithya Raman are shown on a television as they take part in the Los Angeles mayoral candidates debate on May 6.

With the June 2 primary election only a few days away, most Californians are rightfully focused on figuring out who should be their next governor.

But another race could have a similar impact on the future of the state. And it’s one worth paying attention to even if you don’t live there.

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I’m referring to the contest for Los Angeles mayor.

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Three top candidates are fighting to advance to the general election in November. One of them has the potential to dramatically reshape the future of housing in California. Los Angeles City Council Member Nithya Raman has aggressively campaigned on major reforms to reduce the governmental housing bureaucracy and increase the city’s annual construction threefold. She has proposed issuing an executive directive guaranteeing approval for new housing construction in 60 days or less for developments that already comply with zoning. She wants a citywide self-certification model to speed up permits for “straightforward” projects. 

But most importantly, Raman is a supporter of Senate Bill 79 — a new statewide law that goes into effect on July 1, which allows developers to construct residential structures up to nine stories near transit stops.

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Los Angeles has expanded its transit network in recent........

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