Karen Bass Advances to Los Angeles Mayoral Runoff

Karen Bass received the most votes in Tuesday’s primary for Los Angeles mayor but fell short of a majority, requiring a runoff in the November general election. As of Tuesday evening, the second-place finisher remained undetermined between Spencer Pratt and city council member Nithya Raman.

In her remarks Tuesday evening, Bass said she would focus the next four years on homelessness and housing construction. She described the city as rebounding and referenced progress during her current term. Bass also cited what she described as a “dark day” a year earlier involving immigration enforcement actions ordered by Donald Trump, stating that the city remained unified.

The next mayor will address ongoing homelessness, efforts to retain film and television production in Hollywood, and emergency services following the January 2025 wildfires that killed at least 31 people. Bass had been in Ghana when the fires began. She later described the trip as a mistake and said she would not have traveled if informed of the fire risk. The National Weather Service had issued warnings about critical fire conditions prior to her departure. Bass’s approval ratings declined after the fires, and she later removed the city fire chief. Rebuilding has proceeded slowly since then.

The primary had initially appeared likely to feature Bass and Raman, who had previously worked together. Pratt gained ground in later polls. He entered the race in January after his Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the wildfires and has centered his campaign on the city’s response to those fires.

Bass previously served in the California State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives. She won the 2022 mayoral election against developer Rick Caruso. In her first month in office, she declared a state of emergency on homelessness to accelerate housing development.

Pratt appeared on the MTV series The Hills from 2006 to 2010. He has described himself as a lifelong resident of Los Angeles and has dismissed concerns about his lack of prior elected office by pointing to his observations of city governance. Trump publicly expressed support for Pratt’s candidacy. Pratt stated that his campaign focused on local matters rather than national politics.

Raman won her council seat in 2020 by defeating incumbent David Ryu. She has highlighted her district’s rent stabilization measures and reductions in street encampments. Her platform emphasizes expanded housing development and changes to homeless services programs, including greater use of data for oversight. She has criticized the Inside Safe initiative for clearing encampments without sufficient long-term results and opposed a proposal to increase firefighter hiring as well as an ordinance restricting camping. Bass has defended Inside Safe as providing interim housing, typically in motels.

Prominent Democrats including Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris have endorsed Bass. Pratt has received support from Joe Rogan and Paris Hilton, along with contributions from Lakers executive Jeanie Buss and Atlantic Records CEO Elliot Grainge.

Bass and Raman have differed on specific policies despite overlap on several issues. Raman has proposed additional accountability measures for homeless services spending. Both candidates have addressed housing supply, though through varying mechanisms. Pratt has criticized Bass’s record on the wildfires and emergency preparedness.

The general election will determine the mayor for a four-year term beginning in 2027. Voter turnout and the final tally between Raman and Pratt will shape the November matchup.