Karen Bass and Spencer Pratt Lead Los Angeles Mayor’s Race, Headed to November Runoff

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took an early lead in the city’s mayoral race on Tuesday night, but the contest is far from decided as ballots continue to be counted. Speaking to supporters at a Koreatown gathering shortly after polls closed, Bass framed the next phase of the campaign as a fight for the city’s future, saying the second half of the race begins tomorrow and arguing that Los Angeles can become the city residents deserve.

With nearly 50% of the vote counted, Bass held just under 37% support, according to the results cited in the article. Spencer Pratt, known from The Hills and endorsed by Donald Trump, trailed with 29.8%. Councilmember Nithya Raman was in third place with 20.5%. Because no candidate reached the 50% threshold needed to win outright, the top two candidates are expected to move into a runoff in November.

The race has drawn unusual national attention, with cable news networks focusing on the Los Angeles contest as part of a busy primary night that also included elections in six states and a crowded governor’s race in California. The article says anchors and commentators from CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and NewsNation all highlighted developments in Los Angeles, underscoring the profile of the city’s mayoral battle.

Bass enters the runoff period in a strong position, especially in a heavily Democratic city where Pratt’s celebrity-driven campaign and online presence have made him a provocative challenger rather than a traditional political favorite. The article describes Pratt as a near-perfect foil for Bass, whose campaign is likely to emphasize experience, stability, and management of major city challenges.

Those challenges are significant. Los Angeles continues to face pressure from the decline in Hollywood production and related job losses, while also preparing to host FIFA World Cup matches this month and the 2028 Olympic Games. Bass has argued that the city is facing a moment that requires serious leadership and that this is not a time for inexperienced candidates.

If Raman’s supporters break largely toward Bass, the incumbent could strengthen her position heading into November. The article also suggests that some Pratt supporters may eventually shift to Bass after using their vote as a protest against the political establishment. Still, Pratt’s campaign has shown enough strength to keep him in the conversation, and the runoff is expected to be a defining contest over Los Angeles’ direction, its economy, and its capacity to handle major global events.

Pratt did not speak publicly after the election night results, remaining inside a private gathering in West Los Angeles. While he has not claimed victory, the article makes clear that the race is still open and that the final outcome will depend on the runoff campaign in the months ahead.