Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces City Council member Nithya Raman in a November runoff election. Both candidates are Democrats, setting up a direct matchup. They emerged from a diverse primary field that included former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, a Republican who criticized Bass for her handling of last year’s wildfires.
No candidate garnered over 50% of the vote, leading the top two finishers to a runoff. While Pratt initially placed second behind Bass, later Democratic-leaning vote counts allowed Raman to overtake him. This trend of late Democratic votes is common in California.
Karen Bass, once a U.S. Congress member, was elected mayor in 2022, defeating real estate developer Rick Caruso. Her tenure included issues during last year’s wildfires, where over 16,000 structures burned. Water shortages hindered firefighting efforts. Her absence during the initial outbreak drew criticism. In March, a Los Angeles Times poll revealed 56% unfavorable views of Bass.
Against this backdrop, Raman decided to run for mayor. Despite her political ties with Bass, she launched her campaign, highlighting urgent city issues. Raman stated that aggressive intervention is needed on housing, homelessness, and basic services. She criticized reluctance to pursue transformative policy changes.
Bass countered, questioning Raman’s use of her council position for change. In a debate, Bass said, “To act like you’re brand new…is not accurate.” Despite public frustrations over wildfires and homelessness, Bass touted her administration’s progress. In a recent speech, she expressed confidence in re-election, acknowledging supporters’ belief in her dedication to Los Angeles.
Spencer Pratt’s campaign attracted attention, as he criticized Bass and other Democrats. Losing his house in the wildfires, Pratt blamed Bass and pledged to address homelessness. Former President Donald Trump praised Pratt’s candidacy, calling him “a character.”
With Raman in the runoff, the race shifts from a potential Pratt contest. A Los Angeles Times poll indicated a close Bass-Raman matchup, with Raman slightly ahead but within the margin of error. A significant 40% of respondents were uncertain or disinclined to vote, suggesting an unpredictable campaign.