Former reality television personality and Republican mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt officially exited the Los Angeles mayoral race Friday, citing a “war” against the city’s political leadership. Following his elimination in the primary, Pratt announced plans to continue his opposition to Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, claiming that current municipal leadership will accelerate the city’s decline.
Why Pratt’s departure matters for the Los Angeles mayoral race
Pratt’s exit follows a primary election where he failed to secure enough votes to advance to the November runoff. According to election data, City Councilwoman Nithya Raman holds a lead of 246,333 votes to Pratt’s 216,783. While Pratt’s celebrity-driven campaign drew national attention, it did not translate into enough support at the polls to overcome the incumbent and her challenger. The results highlight a vulnerable position for Mayor Bass, who received less than 35% of the vote according to incomplete returns. This primary cycle showcased a shift in momentum for Raman, who trailed in third place until June 2 before gaining ground in subsequent updates.
The conflict between candidates
In a three-minute video titled “Saving LA-Phase III,” Pratt characterized the remaining candidates, Bass and Raman, as “two morons” and “corrupt communists.” He alleged that he possesses a recording of one of the candidates “doing or saying something that would make her resign in shame,” though he did not specify which candidate he was targeting. Pratt claimed that business owners and developers are leaving Los Angeles, which he argued will lead to decreased tax revenue, reduced police and fire services, and more frequent restaurant closures. These claims contrast with the platform of Raman, who pledged on Thursday to deliver on the change requested by her supporters as she prepares for the November runoff.
What happens next in the runoff
With Pratt eliminated, the contest for mayor moves into a direct competition between Bass and Raman. Because Pratt has stated that “it’s war” and that he intends to remain active in city discourse, his supporters may face a choice between the two remaining candidates or potential abstention. If the trends from the primary hold, the runoff could hinge on whether voters view the current administration as a “reward” for past policy or a failure, as Pratt suggested. Analysts and observers will likely monitor whether the roughly 216,000 voters who backed Pratt choose to shift their support to either remaining candidate or if their absence from the ballot impacts the final margin in November.