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Bass secures spot in November runoff for LA mayor
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the November runoff election, according to projections by CBS News, as votes continue to be tallied. The Democratic incumbent will face either fellow Democrat Nithya Raman, a city council member, or Republican newcomer Spencer Pratt, a reality TV personality, in a race that will determine leadership of the nation's second-largest city.
Uncertainty over Bass's opponent
With 63% of ballots counted by early Wednesday, Bass held 35% of the vote, followed by Pratt at 30% and Raman at 22%. Under California's "jungle primary" system, the top two candidates advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. No candidate secured the 50% threshold required to win outright.
Key issues and stakes
The next mayor will inherit pressing challenges, including a worsening homelessness crisis, affordable housing shortages, and preparations for the 2028 Olympics. Bass, who is seeking her second and final term, has centered her administration on addressing homelessness, responding to federal immigration enforcement, and managing wildfire recovery efforts.
Her tenure has faced scrutiny, particularly after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people. Critics, including Pratt, have blamed her administration for the city's response to the disaster, one of California's most destructive wildfires on record.
Profiles of Bass's potential challengers
Spencer Pratt: The political outsider
A registered Republican, Pratt launched his longshot mayoral bid in January on the anniversary of the Palisades Fire, which destroyed his home. The 42-year-old, who holds a political science degree but has never held public office, rose to fame as a cast member on MTV's The Hills. His campaign has focused on portraying Los Angeles as unsafe and unclean, advocating for mandatory drug treatment to combat homelessness.
Pratt has been a vocal critic of Bass's handling of the wildfire, framing his candidacy as a push to "fix a broken Los Angeles." Despite his lack of political experience, his celebrity status has drawn attention to his campaign.
Nithya Raman: The progressive challenger
Raman, an urban planner and city council member since 2020, entered the race unexpectedly just before the filing deadline, despite previously endorsing Bass. The 44-year-old Democrat has been compared to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Her platform emphasizes expanding affordable housing, reducing homelessness, and revitalizing Hollywood's job market. Raman has criticized Bass for not doing enough to address the city's homelessness crisis, positioning herself as a more progressive alternative.
Broader electoral context
The LA mayoral race is part of a broader primary election day across California, Iowa, New Jersey, and New Mexico, setting the stage for November's midterm elections. In California, voters are also still awaiting final results in the governor's primary, where the top two contenders will advance to the general election.
The gubernatorial race has become the most expensive in state history, featuring a crowded field with no clear frontrunner. Among the candidates are Steve Hilton, a British-American TV host and former Trump adviser; Xavier Becerra, a former Biden administration health secretary; and Tom Steyer, a left-wing billionaire advocating for progressive policies like single-payer healthcare.
California, a state dominated by Democrats since 2011, faces economic pressures, including the highest cost of living in the U.S., which has become a central issue in both the mayoral and gubernatorial races.
