Incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt are headed to a runoff election in November. Bass did not secure a majority in the primary, while Pratt, a Republican, criticized her handling of homelessness, crime, and wildfire recovery.
Reality television personality Spencer Pratt is on track to face incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a runoff election in November. Bass, who has led the city since 2022, did not secure a majority of the vote in Tuesday's primary, forcing a runoff against Pratt. Pratt, a first-time candidate known for 'The Hills,' is running as a Republican in the officially nonpartisan race, where less than 20% of voters identify with the GOP. He has criticized Bass's leadership, particularly her response to wildfires, street homelessness, and crime, holding her personally responsible for the destruction of his home. Bass, conversely, asserts that her leadership is improving the city, citing decreases in homelessness and increases in housing construction and police hiring. Pratt's surge appears to have sidelined Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman, a progressive challenger who was once considered a threat to Bass. Rep. Darrell Issa commented that Pratt's following is due to widespread voter discontent with Bass's perceived ineffectiveness.
The outcome of this runoff election will determine the leadership of one of the United States' largest cities and will reflect voter sentiment on key issues like homelessness, crime, and urban recovery.