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Fake Median poll derailed LA mayor race, company shuts

8/21/2026

28 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Rahil Prakash launched Median Strategies, posting fabricated polls in Wisconsin, Nevada, and California.
Median Strategies shut down and withdrew its polls after a Los Angeles Times reporter raised questions.
Mayor Karen Bass cited the fake Median poll that showed her over 10 points ahead of challenger Nithya Raman.
Prakash apologized to the campaigns of Bass, Raman and Hong and said a Michigan Senate primary miss motivated his test.

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Story summary

Rahil Prakash launched Median Strategies, posting fabricated polls in Wisconsin, Nevada, and California.
Median Strategies shut down and withdrew its polls after a Los Angeles Times reporter raised questions.
Mayor Karen Bass cited the fake Median poll that showed her over 10 points ahead of challenger Nithya Raman.
Prakash apologized to the campaigns of Bass, Raman and Hong and said a Michigan Senate primary miss motivated his test.