Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman is currently locked in a competitive battle for the second spot in the upcoming mayoral runoff election, trailing former reality TV star Spencer Pratt. While incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has secured her position in the November contest with nearly 35% of the vote, the ongoing tally of outstanding ballots will determine whether Raman advances to challenge Bass or if Pratt claims the final spot.
The State of the Mayoral Race
As of Friday, the latest vote tallies from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk show Spencer Pratt holding 174,260 votes, or 28.24% of the total. Nithya Raman follows with 153,588 votes, accounting for 24.89%. The gap between the two candidates has narrowed significantly, dropping from a lead of over 40,000 votes earlier in the week to 20,672 votes following the most recent update.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass currently leads the field with 215,868 votes. Despite her advancement, political analysts suggest the results reflect a challenging environment for an incumbent. Mike Bonin, who leads the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State L.A., noted that because two-thirds of the city did not vote for the mayor, her position may not be as strong as the runoff placement suggests.
Karen Bass is the first incumbent Los Angeles mayor in more than two decades to be forced into a runoff election, a development that Sara Sadhwani, a politics professor at Pomona College, characterized as a “victory with an asterisk.”
Progressive Momentum and Political Shifts
While the mayoral contest remains undecided, other progressive candidates have seen success in down-ballot races. Three of six candidates backed by the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are projected to win their respective offices outright. Notably, City Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez secured reelection by wide margins, and Marissa Roy led the race for city attorney, potentially ousting an incumbent for the first time in nearly a century.
However, the broader movement for a shift in city ideology has faced hurdles. Sara Sadhwani noted that while voters express a desire for change, there does not appear to be an appetite for a major ideological shift in the city or state. Some organizers, like Leslie Chang, a co-chair of the local DSA chapter, expressed concerns that voters might view democratic socialists as part of the existing status quo, or alternatively, pivot toward more conservative alternatives if they feel ignored by mainstream Democrats.
The current political landscape suggests a disconnect between the Democratic establishment and a segment of the electorate feeling the effects of rising costs and housing instability. Whether the party can bridge this gap between long-term governance and the immediate needs of renters and working-class families will likely define the long-term viability of the current coalition.
What Happens Next
The immediate future of the Los Angeles mayoral race depends on the processing of remaining vote-by-mail and provisional ballots. If Nithya Raman successfully overtakes Spencer Pratt, the November runoff will feature a contest between two Democrats with different approaches to governance. Yusef Robb, an advisor to Mayor Bass, emphasized that the campaign will continue to focus on issues like public safety and homelessness, which he describes as the primary concerns for voters.
Looking further ahead, political science professor James Adams at UC Davis suggests that while Democrats hold a strong position in 2026 due to the relative dysfunction of California Republicans, the party faces long-term risks. He warns that a dominant party that fails to address persistent issues like affordable housing and education may eventually face a significant electoral backlash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has already qualified for the November runoff?
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has officially secured her spot in the November runoff election.
Why is the second-place spot still undecided?
The race for second place remains hanging in the balance as election officials continue to process outstanding vote-by-mail and provisional ballots.
Did the Democratic Socialists of America endorse Nithya Raman?
No, the DSA did not officially endorse Raman, as she entered the race after the group had already issued its endorsements and another DSA candidate was already running.
How do you believe the final composition of the mayoral runoff will impact the city’s approach to the housing crisis?
