Spencer Pratt loses in stunning upset: Nithya Raman now faces LA Mayor Karen Bass

The race to lead Los Angeles has taken a dramatic turn. Progressive city council member Nithya Raman has advanced to a November runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. This unexpected showdown between two Democrats—and former political allies—will decide the future of a city home to nearly 4 million people.

Spencer Pratt Ousted

The results officially knock reality television personality Spencer Pratt out of contention. The Republican's bid captured significant national attention as he sought to challenge the liberal status quo in a heavily Democratic city, but that celebrity buzz failed to translate into the necessary vote count to reach the general election.

Testing the Political Climate

Raman, who entered the race as a last-minute candidate despite previously endorsing Bass, is now the primary challenger. Supported by the Democratic Socialists of America, her campaign will serve as a referendum on how the city should tackle mounting crises, including homelessness, crumbling infrastructure, and surging housing costs.

The historic nature of the race is clear: Bass is already the first Black woman to serve as LA mayor, while a win for Raman would make her the first South Asian woman to hold the office.

Competing Visions

Raman has framed her candidacy as a rejection of the status quo. "If you’re as frustrated by the broken status quo as I am, I hope you’ll join our movement," she stated. Conversely, Bass's camp remains confident. Campaign strategist Douglas Herman noted, "A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning."

Election Context and Challenges

While Bass advanced, her position remains precarious. Incomplete returns indicate she secured less than 35% of the vote. Furthermore, California’s notoriously slow vote-counting process kept the outcome in doubt for nearly a week. Election data shows that late-arriving mail-in ballots heavily favored Raman, propelling her past Pratt.

For 205focus.com readers tracking broader state trends, the mayoral race is just one of several marquee contests. In the California governor’s race, Democrat Xavier Becerra has moved forward, though he awaits an opponent between Republican Steve Hilton and fellow Democrat Tom Steyer.

Path to November

Bass enters the runoff backed by the Democratic establishment, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, she was once under consideration for the vice presidency in 2020, and her current path reflects a shifting political landscape. Raman, meanwhile, must expand her coalition beyond her base. While her past stances on policing have drawn sharp criticism from the police union—who have targeted her in negative advertisements—she remains laser-focused on housing and city services. Whether voters opt for the incumbent's establishment support or Raman's promise of radical change will define the coming months in Los Angeles.