In a surprising turn of events, Nithya Raman, a progressive Democrat on the Los Angeles City Council, has advanced to the November runoff election for mayor. She will face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after edging out reality TV star Spencer Pratt in a race marked by unexpected twists.
Election Night Surprise
On election night, Raman appeared prepared to concede the second spot to Pratt, whose viral campaign seemed poised to upset the contest. "Many thousands of votes will be counted in the days ahead, and we may not get an answer we like. But regardless of what happens next, nobody can take away what all of us have built together," Raman told her supporters. However, as ballots were tallied, Raman secured enough votes to advance.
Raman's Entry Shakes Up the Race
Raman entered the mayoral race in February, just hours before the filing deadline and weeks after endorsing Bass for re-election. An urban planner, she cited a call for change from Angelenos, describing the city at a "breaking point" due to its inability to manage basics, homelessness, and a housing shortage. Media outlets drew parallels between Raman and New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani, another democratic socialist.
Raman gained prominence in 2020 when she defeated an incumbent Democrat endorsed by Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. Her political history made her one of the most recognizable candidates in the race.
Pratt's Campaign and Its Challenges
Despite Raman's profile, Pratt's campaign captured headlines. Known as the "bad boyfriend" on MTV's The Hills, Pratt lost his home in the deadly Los Angeles wildfires last year. He became a vocal critic of the city's disaster response and Bass's leadership, arguing that the city failed to prepare and assist residents with recovery. In January, he launched his mayoral bid, focusing on wildfire frustrations and broader issues like the cost-of-living crisis and homelessness.
Polling shows most Los Angeles residents believe the city is heading in the wrong direction. Los Angeles remains one of the most expensive U.S. cities, with a shortage of 270,000 affordable housing units. While Bass reduced street homelessness by 17.5%, nearly 44,000 people remain unhoused, fueling public frustration.
Pratt gained traction through viral campaign ads and a stronger-than-expected debate performance. However, his lack of government experience and past Republican registration (he later changed to independent) hurt him in a heavily Democratic city. An endorsement from Donald Trump was seen as a liability. Raman highlighted this support, arguing that the "Maga machine" sought "to buy a foothold in our beautiful city to advance a dark agenda."
As votes tilted against him, Pratt cast doubt on the results, suggesting Raman's lead came from votes by the city's unhoused population.
The Road Ahead
Los Angeles is deeply Democratic, and Bass is more vulnerable from the left, according to veteran journalist Jim Newton. Raman faces an intense battle as key liberal groups and large unions have already backed Bass. The runoff in November will determine the next leader of the second-largest U.S. city.
