Full Breakdown
Spencer Pratt Wins Debate Poll as Mayor Karen Bass Withdraws from Candidate Forum: A Deep-Dive
5/11/2026, 9:04:13 PM
Debate Performance and Forum Withdrawal
On May 8, an NBC 4 debate featured Mayor Karen Bass, councilmember Nithya Raman, Adam Miller, Rae Huang and Spencer Pratt. An NBC 4 poll gave Pratt 89 % of votes, Bass 7 % and Raman 4 %. Fox 11’s May 13 forum announced Pratt declined for a scheduling conflict, and Bass withdrew on May 7, citing a Sacramento trip.
Race Background & Context
The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race pits incumbent Karen Bass against councilmember Nithya Raman, Adam Miller, Rae Huang and reality-TV star Spencer Pratt, who entered in January. The campaign focuses on the 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfires, housing affordability and homelessness.
Data & Statistics
Poll: Pratt 89 %, Bass 7 %, Raman 4 %. Five candidates were invited (Bass, Raman, Miller, Huang, Pratt); four accepted (Bass, Raman, Miller, Huang). Forum: May 13, 6–7:30 p.m. PT on Fox 11. Primary: June 2.
Official Statements & Responses
The League of Women Voters and Pat Brown Institute called Bass’s withdrawal “disappointing,” noting forums as a democratic cornerstone. Mike Bonin said Bass signed an attendance form on April 22. Spokesperson Alex Stack said the mayor will be in Sacramento for housing, homelessness, fire-recovery funding and Olympics-World Cup. Pratt’s campaign cited a scheduling conflict. CBS posted interview after Pratt alleged a five-minute “hit piece.”
Criticism & Opposition
Politico’s Melanie Mason called Pratt a “novice politician” whose alignment with Donald Trump makes a win in a city “a hard road.” League of Women Voters said Bass’s withdrawal disappoints voters. Miller condemned Bass and Pratt for skipping the forum, arguing it undermines voter engagement. Pratt’s CBS-editing claim was denied by CBS and sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I blame this person for burning my house and my parents’ house and my town and all my neighbors’ town,” — Spencer Pratt, candidate
- “After CBS embarrassed Karen Bass by fact-checking her debate lies about the Palisades Fire, they clearly got the call,” — Spencer Pratt, candidate
- “The expectations are different for Spencer Pratt than they are for the incumbent mayor of Los Angeles or a relatively longtime city councilmember,” — Melanie Mason, Politico bureau chief
- “Mayor Bass will be in Sacramento that day fighting for funding for housing, homelessness, and Palisades recovery, and will also discuss the city and state partnership on the Olympics and World Cup,” — Alex Stack, Mayor Karen Bass spokesperson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Organizers call Bass’s withdrawal disappointing; her campaign cites a Sacramento trip. Pratt alleges CBS edited his interview, but CBS and independent observers deny hand-off. The NBC 4 poll is not an official metric, and Pratt’s scheduling conflict remains unverified.
Why It Matters / Impact
Pratt’s poll surge underscores the impact of social-media personalities in elections, while Bass’s withdrawal raises concerns about incumbent accountability and voter access to comparisons. CBS editing dispute highlights trust issues ahead of June 2 primary that will narrow field to two candidates.
What’s Next
The June 2 primary will determine the two candidates for the November 3 general election; forums are expected, and Bass will return from Sacramento after her funding mission.
