Summary (tl;dr)

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman has overtaken reality television personality Spencer Pratt in the ongoing count of primary election ballots, positioning her to advance to the November runoff election against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The race for the second spot has been exceptionally tight, with Raman steadily gaining on Pratt as mail-in ballots were tallied following the June 2 primary.

Essential Background

The Los Angeles mayoral primary election took place on June 2, 2026, with the top two vote-getters slated to proceed to a general election runoff on November 3. On election night, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass quickly secured her place in the runoff, while Spencer Pratt initially held a significant lead for the second spot over Nithya Raman. However, the counting of mail-in ballots, which often favor more progressive candidates, was expected to shift the results.

The Full Story

In the days following the primary election, Nithya Raman, a sitting Los Angeles City Councilmember, has steadily closed the gap and ultimately surpassed Spencer Pratt in the vote count for the second spot in the mayoral race. Recent updates show Raman leading Pratt by a narrow margin, with analysts indicating a clear trend in her favor. Raman, an urban planner and Democrat known for her focus on homelessness and affordable housing, is now projected by many to face Mayor Karen Bass in the November runoff. Spencer Pratt, a Republican reality TV star, had held the second position for several days, but his lead has eroded with each new batch of counted ballots.

Why It Matters

This development is significant as it determines who will challenge the incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the general election, shaping the future political direction and key policy priorities for Los Angeles. Nithya Raman's potential advancement represents a continuation of a more progressive political voice in the runoff, while Spencer Pratt's initial strong showing had drawn attention due to his celebrity status and differing political alignment in a largely Democratic city. The close nature of this primary contest underscores the diverse political landscape and voter engagement within Los Angeles.

Geographic Location

• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (Los Angeles mayoral primary election and ongoing vote count)