California’s Los Angeles mayoral race heads toward a November runoff between incumbent Democrat Karen Bass and Republican Spencer Pratt, who holds a commanding lead as ballots continue being counted from the June 2 primary.
With roughly 62% of votes tallied as of Thursday morning, Bass secured 35% of the vote, followed by Pratt at 29.9% and City Council member Nithya Raman at 22.8%. Bass fell short of the 51% threshold needed to avoid a runoff, setting up the general election matchup.
Democratic leaders warned that final results could take weeks to finalize. The delayed counting has added uncertainty to an already closely watched race in one of the nation’s largest cities.
Pratt’s Unexpected Rise
Pratt’s strong showing marks a significant moment for Los Angeles politics, as no Republican has won a mayoral race in the city for more than 30 years. His campaign has tapped into voter frustration over homelessness, crime, and the city’s business climate.
John Putnam, a business leader and former city council candidate, attributed Pratt’s momentum to widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo. “I think a lot of people are concerned about what’s happening, they really don’t know how to fix this, and I think the crime, the homelessness, the addiction, all of the above behaviors of what’s happened in our city,” Putnam said.
Putnam credited Pratt’s straightforward messaging for resonating with voters across the political spectrum. “Even if you don’t want to vote for him, you’re listening, and I think that’s resonating with a lot of people,” Putnam added.
Election Law Complaint Filed
Pratt filed a formal complaint against Bass on Tuesday, alleging violations of California election law. He posted on social media that Bass violated regulations prohibiting electioneering within 100 feet of ballot boxes.
“Electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW,” Pratt wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Soliciting votes at a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW.”
The complaint centers on a campaign video in which Bass appeared to encourage supporters to vote while standing near a ballot drop box. Pratt characterized the alleged violations as evidence of a “mafia-like regime” with selective rule enforcement.
A Bass campaign spokesperson dismissed the complaint and questioned the legitimacy of Pratt’s campaign. The matter remains under review as election officials continue processing ballots.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital Desk contributed to this report.
