Bass Advances in LA Mayor Race Amid Pratt Challenge

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass secured a spot on the November ballot after falling short of a majority in Tuesday’s primary, setting up a likely runoff against either reality television personality Spencer Pratt or City Council member Nithya Raman. With roughly 63 percent of ballots counted early Wednesday, Bass held 35 percent of the vote, Pratt followed at 30 percent and Raman stood at 22 percent. Under California’s nonpartisan primary rules, the top two finishers advance unless one candidate exceeds 50 percent outright.

Bass, the first Black woman to serve as mayor and a former member of Congress, entered the race with a lengthy record in state and national politics. Her first term has been defined by efforts to address chronic homelessness, expand housing production and manage recovery from the Palisades fire that destroyed thousands of structures last year. City data show modest reductions in unsheltered homelessness in targeted areas, yet overall counts remain high and public frustration with visible encampments persists across neighborhoods. The mayor has also faced criticism over the pace of rebuilding after the wildfire, including questions about coordination between city agencies and state resources.

Pratt, known for his role on the MTV series The Hills, built his campaign around dissatisfaction with the city’s emergency response and housing policies. His home was among those lost in the Palisades fire, and he argued that local government mismanagement left residents without adequate support. Late returns placed him ahead of Raman for the second runoff slot, though mail ballots arriving over the coming days could shift the margin. Raman, a progressive backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, positioned herself as a critic of incremental approaches to housing and homelessness, appealing to younger voters in central and eastern Los Angeles districts.

The race illustrates broader pressures on Democratic-led cities confronting overlapping crises of housing affordability, wildfire risk and strained public services ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Bass has emphasized continuity in her outreach to voters, noting her long history in Los Angeles and commitment to completing projects already underway. Pratt’s unexpected strength reflects the reach of celebrity-driven messaging in local contests, while Raman’s performance underscores ongoing debates within the Democratic coalition about the speed of policy change. Final determination of the runoff opponent will depend on the remaining vote count, which historically favors candidates with stronger mail-ballot support in Los Angeles County.