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Raman secures spot in November mayoral election
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman will face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the November runoff after surpassing reality TV star Spencer Pratt in a delayed vote count, US media projections show.
Delayed results and vote counting process
Raman's victory was confirmed nearly a week after California's primary election. Initial tallies showed Pratt leading, but Raman overtook him as mail-in ballots were processed, finishing with 28.5% of the vote to Pratt's 25.8%.
California's extensive vote-by-mail system-with about 80% of ballots cast remotely-contributes to the prolonged counting period. The state's 23 million registered voters make it the largest electorate in the US, further extending the timeline.
Pratt's campaign and allegations of fraud
Pratt, best known for his role on MTV's The Hills, remained optimistic despite the results. On Monday, he posted on social media, "There's still hundreds of thousands of votes outstanding, and LA officials have given us the next 3 weeks to count! Let's git-r-dun!"
Former President Donald Trump amplified complaints about the delays, alleging fraud without providing evidence. No candidate secured the 50% threshold required for an outright win, triggering the runoff between the top two contenders.
Bass's political career and challenges
If re-elected, Bass, 72, would serve a second and final term. A longtime Los Angeles politician, she previously represented the city in Congress for six terms, chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, and was considered as a potential running mate for President Joe Biden in 2020.
Her mayoral tenure has been marked by responses to homelessness, immigration raids, and the devastating Palisades Fire in January 2025, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people. The disaster, one of California's most destructive, drew criticism for the city's handling of the crisis.
Raman's background and platform
Raman, 44, an urban planner and Democratic Socialist, entered the race unexpectedly just before the filing deadline. Despite serving on the City Council since 2020, she lacked endorsements from her colleagues.
Her campaign prioritizes affordable housing, homelessness reduction, and revitalizing Hollywood's job market. She has criticized Bass for not doing enough to address the city's homelessness crisis, drawing comparisons to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Governor's race remains undecided
The second candidate advancing in California's gubernatorial race has yet to be determined. Former Biden health secretary Xavier Becerra has secured a spot in the November election, but it remains unclear whether he will face Republican Steve Hilton or Democrat Tom Steyer.
