Full Breakdown
Los Angeles Mayoral Primary: Results, Fallout, and the Path to a Runoff
6/16/2026, 10:04:03 PM
Primary Election Outcome
The June 2 nonpartisan primary left incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in first place, City Councilmember Nithya Raman second, and former reality-TV star Spencer Pratt third. Reported tallies differ: one source lists Bass 34 %, Raman 31 %, Pratt 27 %; another provides raw votes—Bass 292,115, Raman 247,242, Pratt 217,638—yielding roughly 38.6 %, 32.7 %, 28.8 % respectively. The top two will contest a November runoff.
Candidate Profiles
Incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass seeks re-election; progressive Councilmember Nithya Raman runs on a change platform; Republican-aligned former MTV star Spencer Pratt entered to expose a “corrupt machine.”
Voting Patterns by District
Raman topped District 13 (45 %) and District 1 (?40 %). Bass won District 8 (62 %) and led in Districts 9, 10. Pratt led District 12 (39 %), District 3 (?37 %) and District 5 (30.7 %). Bass also carried 35 Latino-majority neighborhoods.
Homelessness Debate Shift
Pratt’s campaign foregrounded homelessness, addiction, mental illness, meth and fentanyl, describing the issue as “airing it out,” prompting other candidates to address the crisis more directly.
Official Statements & Responses
Raman urged voters to “vote for change” and framed the runoff as a fight against the “political machine.” Bass spokesperson Alex Stack said the mayor has worked “with every group and industry to deliver results.” Pratt’s concession video warned of “recordings that could force either candidate to resign” and declared, “I don’t have campaign laws hamstringing me now. It’s war.” Raman declined comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Raman labeled Bass’s $2.6 billion Convention Center project “pay-to-play,” citing over $1 million from downtown business groups. Stack called the claim “not corruption.” Pratt’s insults, including “morons” and “commie animals,” drew criticism for inflammatory tone and Trump alignment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t have a campaign laws hamstringing me now. It’s war.” — Spencer Pratt, campaign video
- “I didn’t get in this for political power, I got in this to expose this corrupt machine, and nothing’s changed,” — Spencer Pratt, concession video
- “People in this city are frustrated with the conditions on our streets,” — Nithya Raman, press conference
- “Nithya Raman can’t get anything done and then attacks the same groups she sought to endorse her campaign,” — Alex Stack, Bass spokesperson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources report either 34-31-27 % or 38.6-32.7-28.8 % for Bass, Raman, Pratt. Pratt’s alleged recordings lack verification. Comparisons of Pratt’s 25 % primary share to Trump’s 26.5 % in a 2024 general election note differing electoral contexts.
What’s Next
The November runoff will pit Bass against Raman, each seeking broader coalitions. Raman aims to win Pratt’s disaffected voters while courting older, high-propensity voters. Bass must defend her homelessness and public-safety record. Pratt continues Palisades-fire lawsuits and signals ongoing political activity, though he has not formally re-entered the race.
