Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Secures Spot in Runoff for Leadership of California’s Largest City.
Incumbent mayor Karen Bass secures a place in November’s runoff as Los Angeles voters weigh competing visions for the city’s future.
Democratic incumbent Karen Bass has earned a place in the November runoff election that will determine who governs Los Angeles, the biggest city in California.
Although ballot counting continued late into Tuesday evening, Bass emerged as the first candidate projected to advance, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner. However, her opponent in the final round has yet to be confirmed.
The remaining runoff position is being contested between fellow Democrat and city councilwoman Nithya Raman and Republican newcomer Spencer Pratt, best known for his reality television career.
Whoever prevails in November will oversee the nation’s second-largest city, facing major challenges such as homelessness, housing affordability, and preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games, which Los Angeles is set to host.
The mayoral contest was one of several primary elections held Tuesday across California, Iowa, New Jersey, and New Mexico, races that will help shape the broader midterm election landscape ahead of November.
At the same time, vote counting continued in California’s gubernatorial primary, where the two strongest performers will also move on to the general election later this year.
California operates under a so-called “jungle primary” system, meaning all candidates compete on a single ballot and the top two vote-getters advance to the next stage regardless of political party.
For the Los Angeles mayoral race, any candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote wins outright. If no one reaches that mark, the top two finishers move forward to a runoff.
With approximately 63% of ballots tabulated by early Wednesday, Bass led the field with 35% support. Pratt followed with 30%, while Raman held 22%.
Should Bass prevail in November, she would begin her second and final term as mayor.
Her political career spans decades and includes extensive work in community activism and public service. Before becoming mayor, she represented portions of Los Angeles in Congress for six terms, chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, and served prominently on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
During the 2020 presidential election cycle, Bass was widely discussed as a potential vice-presidential running mate for then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Throughout her time as mayor, some of the most significant issues she has confronted include the city’s homelessness emergency, responses to federal immigration enforcement actions, and the management of recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades Fire, one of several major wildfires that swept through Southern California in January 2025.
Her handling of that disaster has drawn considerable scrutiny. The fire destroyed thousands of residences, claimed 12 lives, and became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. Critics have argued that the city’s response fell short during and after the crisis.
Among the most outspoken critics has been Spencer Pratt, a registered Republican who launched his mayoral bid in January on the anniversary of the wildfire that destroyed his own home.
Pratt, 42, became a vocal opponent of Bass’s leadership following the blaze, which ravaged the affluent coastal community where he lived.
Despite holding a degree in political science, Pratt has never served in elected office and presents himself as a political outsider. His campaign has centered on repairing what he describes as a dysfunctional Los Angeles, frequently portraying the city as increasingly unsafe and neglected. He has also advocated mandatory drug treatment programs as part of efforts to address homelessness.
The former publicist first gained national attention in 2007 after joining the cast of MTV’s reality series The Hills, a spin-off of Laguna Beach, as the boyfriend of Heidi Montag. On the show, he became known for generating controversy and drama through his confrontational and often provocative personality.
Pratt and Montag later married and are now raising two children together.
Nithya Raman’s decision to enter the mayoral contest surprised many observers. She announced her candidacy shortly before the filing deadline, despite having previously endorsed Bass.
The 44-year-old urban planner has served on the Los Angeles City Council since 2020. However, none of her fellow council members have formally endorsed her campaign for mayor.
Political observers have drawn comparisons between Raman and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani due to their shared affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America.
Her campaign has emphasized increasing affordable housing, tackling homelessness, and revitalizing employment opportunities in Hollywood. Raman has argued that Bass’s administration has not moved aggressively enough to address the city’s housing and homelessness challenges.
California Governor’s Race Still Undecided
Voting has concluded in California’s race for governor, but election officials are continuing to process and count ballots.
The contest has become the costliest gubernatorial election campaign ever recorded. Leading candidates include Steve Hilton, the British-American television personality backed by President Donald Trump; former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; and progressive billionaire businessman Tom Steyer.
The campaign has been marked by unpredictability and has lacked a dominant front-runner, despite California having been governed by liberal administrations since 2011.
Hilton previously served as an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and played a significant role in shaping Conservative Party strategy during a politically turbulent era that ultimately culminated in Brexit. He has also attracted attention in California for his casual appearance, frequently appearing without a tie and sometimes barefoot.
During the campaign, Hilton has promoted a message of challenging the political establishment. He has pledged to address homelessness, strengthen cooperation with the federal government on immigration enforcement, and reconsider California’s sanctuary policies.
Becerra has highlighted his extensive public service record, pointing to decades of experience in both Congress and California government. He has pledged to oppose Trump’s agenda while advocating measures such as freezing insurance premiums and utility costs for residents.
Steyer, meanwhile, has focused on progressive priorities, including support for a single-payer healthcare system. He has also proposed closing tax loopholes to ensure that wealthy Californians contribute a larger share in taxes.
The election takes place as many residents face mounting economic pressures in the Golden State, which continues to have the highest cost of living in the United States.