What's happened
Spencer Pratt has surged into a potential runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass as Los Angeles heads to the June 2 primary, with polls showing Pratt close to Bass and Raman trailing. Voters cite concerns over homelessness, crime and Palisades fires as decisive issues.
What's behind the headline?
live-update assessment
- Pratt has positioned himself as the outsider challenger promising decisive action, while Bass faces sustained scrutiny over crisis response and housing policy.
- The Palisades fire experience is a central emotional driver, shaping voter perceptions of leadership and trust.
- If Pratt gains momentum, expect intensified campaigning focused on crisis management and infrastructure resilience, with debates becoming a focal point.
forecast
- A Bass-Pratt runoff is likely, given current momentum and GOP-leaning suburbs showing discontent.
- The outcome will hinge on turnout among Westside communities and Palisades-area residents, with Raman’s base possibly shifting in a further round of voting.
How we got here
The race centers on Los Angeles mayoral leadership amid recovery from the Palisades fires and ongoing homelessness and public safety debates. Pratt, a former reality TV star who lost his Palisades home, has framed his bid as outsider accountability, while Bass has faced criticism over disaster response and policy. Polling in the weeks ahead of the primary shows the race tightening.
Our analysis
New York Times: Jennifer Medina coverage; New York Post: polling and field reporting; NY Post additional on-the-ground voter anecdotes; Times readers' experiences in Pacific Palisades.
Go deeper
- Will Pratt’s outsider message translate into a durable coalition across LA?
- What role does the Palisades fire recovery play in voter decisions?
- When will official runoff dates be set and how will campaigns adjust?
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Spencer Pratt - American television personality
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Karen Bass - U.S. Representative
Karen Ruth Bass is a member of the Democratic Party and has represented California’s 37th Congressional District, which encompasses Culver City and parts of Los Angeles, in the United States House of Representatives since 2010.
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Nithya Raman - Los Angeles City Council Member
Nithya Raman is an American urban planner, activist, and politician serving as the Los Angeles City Councilmember for the 4th District since 2020.