Story perspectives

Bass Leads LA Mayoral Runoff; Pratt Raises $3.3 M

6/4/2026

Center

Bass Secures Runoff

The June 3 primary creates the first mayoral runoff for a Los Angeles incumbent in more than two decades.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass leads the Los Angeles mayoral primary and secured a spot in the November runoff.
Spencer Pratt, a Republican reality-TV personality, raised $3.3 million, outpacing Bass and Raman.
The November runoff will decide who leads Los Angeles as city prepares for the 2028 Olympics.

Left

Pratt Political Surge

AI-generated videos and viral moments on social media have turned reality-star Spencer Pratt into a breakout political contender.
Spencer Pratt raised $3.3 million, outpacing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass—who cited a 17.5% homelessness decline—and challenger Nithya Raman.
The 2025 Palisades wildfire that destroyed Pratt’s home heightened criticism of Mayor Bass’s emergency response.
Nithya Raman, backed by Democratic Socialists of America, urged affordable-housing expansion and tighter tenant protections.

History

Historical Context

When Tom Bradley retired in 1993, Los Angeles held its first open mayoral race since 1929, and Republican businessman Richard Riordan won with 54% after spending $4.2 million, the most costly runoff to date. The 2026 election between incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Spencer Pratt mirrors that high-spending, runoff-driven dynamic, foreshadowing intense policy debates.

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Bass Secures Runoff

The June 3 primary creates the first mayoral runoff for a Los Angeles incumbent in more than two decades.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass leads the Los Angeles mayoral primary and secured a spot in the November runoff.
Spencer Pratt, a Republican reality-TV personality, raised $3.3 million, outpacing Bass and Raman.
The November runoff will decide who leads Los Angeles as city prepares for the 2028 Olympics.

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