Blab Politics
Spencer Pratts Los Angeles Mayoral Bid Falls Short in June Primary
When the city of Los Angeles went to the polls on June 2, the drama of a reality‑TV star, a seasoned Democrat, and a rising city councilwoman unfolded on a ballot that never shows party labels.
The non‑partisan primary ended with incumbent Democrat Karen Bass and city councilmember Nithya Raman advancing to a November runoff. Reality‑TV personality Spencer Pratt, who ran as an independent Republican, finished third and did not qualify for the general election.
Pratt’s campaign began on the one‑year anniversary of the 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfire that destroyed his home. He sued the city over the fire’s handling and used the lawsuit as a launchpad for a platform that centered on police funding and a hard‑line approach to homelessness. According to his campaign website, Pratt called for redirecting existing homelessness programs to “mandatory treatment and enforcement” and for a crackdown on street encampments.
The primary was a three‑way contest. Official results released by the Los Angeles County Registrar–Recorder/County Clerk show Bass leading with 34.7% of the vote, Raman in second place with 27.1%, and Pratt trailing with 18.5%. The remaining 20% of ballots were split among other candidates. Because no candidate received a majority, the top two vote‑getters moved on to a November runoff.
Pratt’s campaign drew attention from a national audience. He released a memoir, The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain, in 2026 and received support from high‑profile figures such as comedian Joe Rogan, who publicly endorsed him. Despite this visibility, Pratt’s lack of political experience and his status as a registered Republican in a city that leans heavily Democratic made his path to victory unlikely.
The Los Angeles mayoral race is officially non‑partisan, so party labels do not appear on the ballot. Nonetheless, the political context is clear: Bass, a Democrat who served in the U.S. House and California State Assembly, has focused on expanding affordable housing and improving public safety. Raman, a Democratic city councilmember with a background in urban planning, has emphasized accountability for city departments and increased housing supply.
Pratt’s emphasis on a police‑led approach to homelessness contrasted sharply with the more progressive narratives promoted by Bass and Raman. According to his campaign statements, Pratt argued that street encampments posed a danger to both residents and the homeless themselves, citing mental‑health and drug‑addiction concerns. This framing resonated with some voters who felt the city’s current policies were ineffective, but it failed to secure a majority.
The primary results were projected by several news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and Fox LA, as early as the evening of June 2. Decision Desk HQ’s projections, released the following day, also listed Bass and Raman as the top two candidates. Pratt’s campaign team has not issued a formal statement following the results.
The November runoff will determine whether Bass retains the mayor’s office or whether Raman will become the city’s first female mayor of Indian origin. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and the winner will assume office on December 14, 2026, in time to oversee preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Pratt’s campaign, while unsuccessful, highlighted the growing influence of celebrity candidates in local elections. His focus on homelessness and public safety added a new dimension to the debate, even if it did not translate into electoral success. The city’s political landscape will now shift to the Bass‑Raman contest, with both candidates already outlining their priorities for the next term.
As of now, the next steps are clear: Bass and Raman will campaign for the November runoff, while Pratt’s future political or media endeavors remain uncertain. The city will continue to grapple with the same challenges—housing affordability, homelessness, and public safety—that dominated the primary.
The non‑partisan primary ended with incumbent Democrat Karen Bass and city councilmember Nithya Raman advancing to a November runoff. Reality‑TV personality Spencer Pratt, who ran as an independent Republican, finished third and did not qualify for the general election.
Pratt’s campaign began on the one‑year anniversary of the 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfire that destroyed his home. He sued the city over the fire’s handling and used the lawsuit as a launchpad for a platform that centered on police funding and a hard‑line approach to homelessness. According to his campaign website, Pratt called for redirecting existing homelessness programs to “mandatory treatment and enforcement” and for a crackdown on street encampments.
The primary was a three‑way contest. Official results released by the Los Angeles County Registrar–Recorder/County Clerk show Bass leading with 34.7% of the vote, Raman in second place with 27.1%, and Pratt trailing with 18.5%. The remaining 20% of ballots were split among other candidates. Because no candidate received a majority, the top two vote‑getters moved on to a November runoff.
Pratt’s campaign drew attention from a national audience. He released a memoir, The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain, in 2026 and received support from high‑profile figures such as comedian Joe Rogan, who publicly endorsed him. Despite this visibility, Pratt’s lack of political experience and his status as a registered Republican in a city that leans heavily Democratic made his path to victory unlikely.
The Los Angeles mayoral race is officially non‑partisan, so party labels do not appear on the ballot. Nonetheless, the political context is clear: Bass, a Democrat who served in the U.S. House and California State Assembly, has focused on expanding affordable housing and improving public safety. Raman, a Democratic city councilmember with a background in urban planning, has emphasized accountability for city departments and increased housing supply.
Pratt’s emphasis on a police‑led approach to homelessness contrasted sharply with the more progressive narratives promoted by Bass and Raman. According to his campaign statements, Pratt argued that street encampments posed a danger to both residents and the homeless themselves, citing mental‑health and drug‑addiction concerns. This framing resonated with some voters who felt the city’s current policies were ineffective, but it failed to secure a majority.
The primary results were projected by several news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and Fox LA, as early as the evening of June 2. Decision Desk HQ’s projections, released the following day, also listed Bass and Raman as the top two candidates. Pratt’s campaign team has not issued a formal statement following the results.
The November runoff will determine whether Bass retains the mayor’s office or whether Raman will become the city’s first female mayor of Indian origin. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and the winner will assume office on December 14, 2026, in time to oversee preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Pratt’s campaign, while unsuccessful, highlighted the growing influence of celebrity candidates in local elections. His focus on homelessness and public safety added a new dimension to the debate, even if it did not translate into electoral success. The city’s political landscape will now shift to the Bass‑Raman contest, with both candidates already outlining their priorities for the next term.
As of now, the next steps are clear: Bass and Raman will campaign for the November runoff, while Pratt’s future political or media endeavors remain uncertain. The city will continue to grapple with the same challenges—housing affordability, homelessness, and public safety—that dominated the primary.
