LOS ANGELES — Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the November run-off election in the race to lead Los Angeles, California’s largest city and the second-largest city in the United States.
According to projections, Bass secured enough support in Tuesday’s primary election to move forward, although the identity of her challenger remains uncertain as vote counting continues.
The race for the second run-off position is currently being contested between Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman and Republican candidate Spencer Pratt, a reality television personality making his first bid for public office.
Under California’s primary election system, the top two candidates advance to the general election regardless of political party affiliation. A candidate can avoid a run-off only by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary.
With approximately 63 percent of ballots counted early Wednesday, Bass led the field with 35 percent of the vote, followed by Pratt with 30 percent and Raman with 22 percent.
The election comes at a critical time for Los Angeles as city leaders confront major challenges, including homelessness, affordable housing shortages, public safety concerns and preparations for hosting the 2028 Olympic Games.
If re-elected, Bass would begin her second and final term as mayor.
A longtime political figure, Bass previously served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing parts of Los Angeles. During her congressional career, she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus and served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Her tenure as mayor has largely focused on addressing homelessness, responding to immigration-related issues and overseeing emergency responses to natural disasters.
One of the defining moments of her administration was the response to the devastating Palisades Fire, part of a series of destructive wildfires that swept through Southern California in January 2025. The blaze destroyed thousands of homes, claimed multiple lives and became one of the most damaging wildfires in California’s history.
The city’s handling of the disaster drew criticism from residents and political opponents, including Spencer Pratt, whose home was destroyed in the fire.
Pratt launched his mayoral campaign earlier this year, positioning himself as an outsider determined to reform city government. His campaign focused on issues such as public safety, homelessness and urban management.
A former reality television star known for his appearances on MTV’s “The Hills,” Pratt has never held elected office but has attracted attention by criticizing city leadership and advocating tougher policies to address homelessness and drug addiction.
As Los Angeles voters await final results, the upcoming run-off election is expected to focus heavily on the city’s future direction, disaster preparedness, housing affordability and quality-of-life concerns.
The November contest will determine who will oversee one of America’s most influential cities during a period of significant economic, social and infrastructure challenges.
