Los Angeles Mayoral Race: Nithya Raman Closes in on Spencer Pratt as Ballot Counting Continues

The race to challenge incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming November runoff remains fluid as Los Angeles continues to process ballots from the June 2, 2026, primary election. While Mayor Bass has secured a spot in the general election, the battle for the second position has tightened significantly, with Councilmember Nithya Raman narrowing the lead held by television personality Spencer Pratt.

A Shifting Landscape in the Mayoral Primary

As election officials continue to tally votes, the dynamic between the secondary candidates has evolved. Recent data shows that Raman has gained ground on Pratt as more ballots are counted. According to reports from the CBS News, the gap between the two candidates has consistently shrunk, with Raman steadily increasing her share of the vote in successive ballot updates. Election experts have noted that this trend reflects the ongoing nature of the count, as the final results depend on the remaining outstanding ballots.

The primary, which was widely identified as a battleground election, featured a crowded field of candidates. Despite the initial lead held by Pratt, the current trajectory suggests that the final outcome for the second-place spot remains competitive. With a significant number of votes still being processed, the ultimate composition of the November runoff ballot is yet to be finalized.

The Candidates and Their Platforms

Nithya Raman, who has served as the Los Angeles city councilmember for the 4th district since 2020, brings a background in urban planning and advocacy to her campaign. Her political career includes her work with the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition and her tenure on the City Council, where she has focused on issues such as homelessness and urban infrastructure.

Spencer Pratt, a well-known figure from reality television, entered the mayoral race as a political newcomer. His campaign has been characterized by high visibility and a focus on challenging the current city administration’s policies. The contrast between Raman’s background in local government and policy-oriented advocacy and Pratt’s outsider approach has defined the tenor of the primary election.

Looking Ahead: The November Runoff

The winner of the second-place spot will go on to face Mayor Karen Bass in the November general election. The outcome will determine the final choice presented to Los Angeles voters and set the stage for the city’s political direction over the next term.

Key Takeaways

• Incumbent Status: Mayor Karen Bass has been projected to advance to the November runoff election.
• Competitive Second Place: The race between Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman remains active as election officials process remaining ballots.
• Voting Trends: Recent ballot updates have shown a consistent narrowing of the lead between the second and third-place candidates.
• Election Context: The June 2, 2026, primary was a nonpartisan election that drew a large field of candidates, highlighting significant public interest in the city’s leadership.

As the final ballots are counted, the focus for all campaigns remains on ensuring every vote is tallied. For voters, the coming months will likely see a shift in focus toward the specific policy differences between Mayor Bass and whichever opponent emerges from the primary to challenge her in the general election.