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The race for Los Angeles mayor has taken a dramatic and unexpected turn as newly processed mail-in ballots appear to be reshaping the balance of power in the city’s closely watched primary election. What once seemed like a more stable path toward a clear second-place finisher has now become a tense and highly uncertain contest, with City Councilmember Nithya Raman gaining momentum at a crucial late stage in the count.
As the latest batches of ballots are tallied, the gap between Raman and media personality Spencer Pratt is narrowing, raising the possibility that the final spot in the upcoming November runoff could still change hands. Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass continues to hold a strong lead at the top of the field, positioning herself as the frontrunner heading into the next phase of the election — but the identity of her challenger remains anything but settled.
A Race That Refuses to Stabilize
Los Angeles elections are often defined by slow vote counting, particularly due to the large number of mail-in ballots that arrive after election day. This year is proving to be no exception. In fact, it may be one of the most unpredictable races in recent memory.
Initially, early results suggested a relatively clear hierarchy: Mayor Karen Bass in first place by a comfortable margin, followed by Spencer Pratt maintaining a narrow but stable second-place position, with several other candidates trailing behind. However, as election officials continued processing late-arriving ballots, the dynamics began to shift.
Those late ballots, which often reflect different voting patterns than in-person election day votes, have reportedly leaned more in favor of progressive and urban council districts — a trend that appears to be benefiting Nithya Raman. With each update, her share of the vote has edged upward, tightening the gap between her and Pratt.
While Bass still leads overall, the battle for second place has become the real headline of the race.
Who Is Nithya Raman and Why Her Surge Matters
Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Councilmember known for her progressive policy positions, has built much of her political identity around housing reform, homelessness solutions, and expanding social services. Her supporters describe her as part of a new generation of city leadership focused on systemic change rather than incremental adjustments.
Her critics, however, often point to her progressive platform as a sharp departure from traditional urban governance, particularly in areas such as public safety, housing development regulation, and budget priorities.
In this election cycle, Raman’s performance has drawn attention not just because of her policy positions, but because of the timing of her surge. Late-count ballot swings are not uncommon in Los Angeles, but the scale of movement toward her candidacy has surprised even seasoned observers of local politics.
If she were to overtake Spencer Pratt in the final tally, it would represent a significant political moment — signaling a stronger-than-expected appetite among voters for progressive representation in citywide leadership contests.
Spencer Pratt’s Position Under Pressure
Spencer Pratt, widely recognized for his media presence and unconventional entry into politics, has positioned himself as a candidate appealing to voters frustrated with traditional political structures. His campaign has leaned heavily on outsider messaging, emphasizing reform, accountability, and a break from establishment norms.
For much of the initial vote count, Pratt appeared securely placed in second position behind Bass. His supporters pointed to early returns as evidence that his message was resonating with a broad cross-section of voters across Los Angeles.
However, as mail-in ballots continue to be counted, that early advantage has come under pressure. The narrowing margin suggests that Pratt’s support may be more vulnerable to late-count shifts than initially expected. While he remains in contention, the uncertainty surrounding his position has intensified the stakes of each new ballot update.
Karen Bass Holds the Lead — But Focus Shifts to the Challenger
Despite the growing drama over second place, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass remains firmly in the lead. Her position reflects both the advantages of incumbency and continued support from a broad coalition of voters across the city.