Progressive council member advances to November runoff in Los Angeles mayoral primary

Los Angeles voters selected two candidates to advance from the mayoral primary held earlier this month. Progressive city council member Nithya Raman received 28.6 percent of the vote, while incumbent Karen Bass received 34.3 percent, according to results called by the Associated Press on Monday night.

Raman will face Bass in the November general election. Spencer Pratt, a registered Republican and former reality television personality, finished third with 25.8 percent.

Campaign context Pratt, who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades fire, positioned his candidacy around criticism of city leadership and recovery efforts after the wildfires. He used social media to highlight concerns about homelessness, cost of living, and government response to the fires.

The city has not elected a Republican mayor since Richard Riordan left office in 2001. Pratt stated on social media that his experience as a lifelong resident qualified him for the role.

Election results and next steps Pratt has not conceded the race.

He posted on social media suggesting without evidence that Raman had organized unhoused residents to vote for her. Raman and Bass, who were previously allies, will compete in a contest viewed as reflecting divisions within the Democratic Party between established and progressive factions.

Raman identifies as a Democratic socialist. Pratt had vowed to leave the city if he lost. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment on future plans.