The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral primary is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with City Council member Nithya Raman rapidly closing the gap on reality TV personality Spencer Pratt in a fierce battle for the chance to face off against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in November.
Nithya Raman is closing the gap in the LA mayoral primary against Spencer Pratt. Discover the latest updates on this competitive race.
As millions of ballots continue to be tallied, the fight for second place has become intensely competitive. While Pratt started with a narrow edge, Raman has been steadily gaining ground, and the gap between them keeps shrinking with each vote update. Mayor Bass, meanwhile, has maintained a commanding lead and secured her spot in the general election runoff.
The primary has emerged as one of the most closely followed political races in the country. With Bass’s position secure, all eyes are now on the heated competition between Pratt and Raman, both hoping to earn their way to the final round.
As election workers process late-arriving mail-in ballots across Los Angeles County, Raman has picked up substantial momentum in several key districts. Political analysts suggest the remaining votes—particularly those cast by mail—could still swing the outcome in either direction.
The former reality television star has built an unorthodox campaign around tackling homelessness and public safety while tapping into voter frustration with city government. His viral social media tactics and outsider messaging have unexpectedly resonated with portions of the electorate hungry for change.
The progressive Democrat has focused her campaign on housing affordability, homeless services reform, and bolstering social programs. Her policy-focused platform has struck a chord with left-leaning voters in multiple neighborhoods, fueling her late surge in the counting process.
California’s top-two primary system means the first and second-place finishers advance to November, regardless of party. With Bass in the lead, the real drama centers on whether Pratt or Raman will claim the second spot.
Officials expect to complete the count in the coming days.
