Left-wing candidate Nithya Raman has advanced to the November runoff for Los Angeles mayor, narrowly defeating former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt in the primary election. Raman, a progressive city council member, will face incumbent Karen Bass in the general election.
Raman's Victory Statement
Raman expressed her gratitude in a statement posted on social media, saying she was “incredibly honored” that voters gave her the opportunity to advance. She pledged to “fight for a healthier, safer, more affordable, and more joyful Los Angeles.”
Primary Results
According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Raman held 28.5% of the votes as of late Monday, while Pratt trailed at 25.8%. Incumbent Karen Bass secured enough votes on primary election night, June 2, to guarantee her spot in the November election, but the race for second place remained tight for nearly a week.
Bass announced her advancement in a social media post, declaring that “LA rejected Spencer Pratt and the MAGA agenda.” However, her campaign later released a statement criticizing Raman, with strategist Douglas Herman saying, “A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning.”
Other Political Developments
In other news, former President Donald Trump was loudly booed when shown on video screens at Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. Meanwhile, Trump told supporters in South Carolina that the end of the war with Iran is coming soon. “I think we are winning that battle, but you’re really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It’ll be a total victory,” he said, despite his history of making promises that fail to materialize.
Senator Bernie Sanders, during an interview at the National Press Club in Washington DC, reiterated his support for Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure Graham Platner is the next senator from the state of Maine,” Sanders stated.
Additionally, Trump nominated Todd Blanche to serve as permanent attorney general, positioning his former personal lawyer to become the nation’s top law enforcement officer.
