Blab Politics
Karen Bass Advances to Los Angeles Mayoral Runoff Against Reality-TV Star Spencer Pratt
When the dust settled on June 2, the city’s ballots revealed a showdown that could see Los Angeles led by a former reality star. Incumbent mayor Karen Bass, who won the nonpartisan top‑two primary, secured her place in the November 3, 2026 general election and will face either reality‑TV personality Spencer Pratt or city councilor Nithya Raman.
Bass’s re‑election bid began in July 2024, after she took office in December 2022. She is the city’s first woman mayor and the second African‑American to hold the post. Her term, which started with the 2022 election, ends in 2026 unless she wins another term.
Spencer Pratt, best known for his role on the reality‑TV series The Hills, entered the race on January 7, 2026. He announced his candidacy on the first anniversary of the Palisades fire, according to reports. With no prior elected office experience, Pratt has framed his campaign around community engagement and public safety.
City councilor Nithya Raman, a Democrat representing the 12th district, has long championed affordable housing and public transportation. Raman’s platform stresses continuity of the policy initiatives that have been underway during Bass’s first term.
Los Angeles’ mayoral election is officially nonpartisan, so party affiliations do not appear on the ballot. The top‑two primary held on June 2, 2026 was conducted alongside elections for 15 city council seats and three Los Angeles Unified School District board seats. Thirty candidates filed paperwork for the race.
Polls released after the primary show Bass leading, but a sizable portion of voters—about 40%—remain undecided. The runoff’s outcome will shape the city’s political landscape. If Pratt wins, he would become the first reality‑TV personality to serve as mayor of Los Angeles. A Bass victory would extend her leadership and allow her to continue pursuing her agenda on public safety, homelessness, and infrastructure.
Campaign finance filings indicate Pratt’s campaign has raised over $1.2 million, while Bass’s has exceeded $3.5 million. Both candidates will now focus on mobilizing their bases and addressing the concerns of the city’s diverse electorate.
The next steps are clear: the runoff will take place on November 3, 2026. Voters will decide whether Bass or Pratt (or Raman, if he advances) will lead Los Angeles into its next four‑year term. Election officials will certify the results and announce the final winner.
At this time, the race remains competitive. The primary results confirm Bass’s place in the runoff, but the final outcome will hinge on voter turnout and campaign momentum in the weeks leading up to the November election. No additional candidates have announced a challenge to the top two, and the city’s election board has not issued any notices of pending legal challenges.
In summary, Karen Bass has secured a spot in the November 2026 mayoral runoff, where she will face either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman. The election will determine whether Los Angeles continues under Bass’s leadership or elects a new mayor from the realm of reality television. Voters will decide on November 3, 2026, and the election officials will certify the results once the ballots are counted.
Bass’s re‑election bid began in July 2024, after she took office in December 2022. She is the city’s first woman mayor and the second African‑American to hold the post. Her term, which started with the 2022 election, ends in 2026 unless she wins another term.
Spencer Pratt, best known for his role on the reality‑TV series The Hills, entered the race on January 7, 2026. He announced his candidacy on the first anniversary of the Palisades fire, according to reports. With no prior elected office experience, Pratt has framed his campaign around community engagement and public safety.
City councilor Nithya Raman, a Democrat representing the 12th district, has long championed affordable housing and public transportation. Raman’s platform stresses continuity of the policy initiatives that have been underway during Bass’s first term.
Los Angeles’ mayoral election is officially nonpartisan, so party affiliations do not appear on the ballot. The top‑two primary held on June 2, 2026 was conducted alongside elections for 15 city council seats and three Los Angeles Unified School District board seats. Thirty candidates filed paperwork for the race.
Polls released after the primary show Bass leading, but a sizable portion of voters—about 40%—remain undecided. The runoff’s outcome will shape the city’s political landscape. If Pratt wins, he would become the first reality‑TV personality to serve as mayor of Los Angeles. A Bass victory would extend her leadership and allow her to continue pursuing her agenda on public safety, homelessness, and infrastructure.
Campaign finance filings indicate Pratt’s campaign has raised over $1.2 million, while Bass’s has exceeded $3.5 million. Both candidates will now focus on mobilizing their bases and addressing the concerns of the city’s diverse electorate.
The next steps are clear: the runoff will take place on November 3, 2026. Voters will decide whether Bass or Pratt (or Raman, if he advances) will lead Los Angeles into its next four‑year term. Election officials will certify the results and announce the final winner.
At this time, the race remains competitive. The primary results confirm Bass’s place in the runoff, but the final outcome will hinge on voter turnout and campaign momentum in the weeks leading up to the November election. No additional candidates have announced a challenge to the top two, and the city’s election board has not issued any notices of pending legal challenges.
In summary, Karen Bass has secured a spot in the November 2026 mayoral runoff, where she will face either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman. The election will determine whether Los Angeles continues under Bass’s leadership or elects a new mayor from the realm of reality television. Voters will decide on November 3, 2026, and the election officials will certify the results once the ballots are counted.
