California’s June 2 primary election results are still being counted, but the Los Angeles mayoral race has already produced one of the state’s most closely watched contests. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass failed to secure the majority needed to win outright, making a November runoff increasingly likely.
With approximately 62% of votes counted as of Wednesday night, Bass led the field with 183,701 votes, or about 35%. Republican candidate and former reality television personality Spencer Pratt was in second place with 157,116 votes, nearly 30%, while Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman trailed with 119,809 votes, roughly 23%. Based on current totals, Pratt appears likely to advance to the general election and face Bass in November.
Pratt’s strong showing has drawn attention because no Republican has won a Los Angeles mayoral election in more than three decades. Supporters argue that his rise reflects growing frustration among voters over issues such as crime, homelessness, addiction, wildfire preparedness, and economic challenges facing local businesses.
Business executive John Putnam, president of Putnam Brands & Putnam Accessory Group, said many residents are concerned about the direction of the city and are looking for change. He argued that Pratt’s straightforward style and focus on local problems have connected with voters who feel dissatisfied with current leadership.
The campaign has also been marked by controversy. Pratt recently announced that his team filed a formal complaint alleging that Bass violated California election laws by appearing in a campaign video near a ballot drop box while encouraging people to vote. California regulations prohibit electioneering within 100 feet of ballot drop boxes and voting locations.
Pratt accused Bass of ignoring election rules and pledged to pursue the complaint. Bass’s campaign rejected the allegations, with a spokesperson dismissing the complaint and questioning Pratt’s campaign tactics. As counting continues, the race remains highly competitive and closely watched across California.
