started · updated
Nithya Raman advances to Los Angeles mayoral runoff, overtaking Spencer Pratt
In the nonpartisan June 2 primary for Los Angeles mayor, incumbent Karen Bass secured the first spot with roughly 34.7% of the vote. Progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman closed the gap on Republican challenger Spencer Pratt, ultimately moving into second place with a narrow lead of about 3,100 votes. Pratt, who had briefly led the second‑place count, fell to third with roughly 26.7% of the vote. The ballot‑counting process, dominated by late‑arriving mail‑in ballots, shifted the standings in Raman’s favor, prompting Pratt to question the count without evidence. With about 150,000 ballots still uncounted, officials expect final certification by early July. The November runoff will pit Bass against Raman, setting up a contest between two Democrats in the nation’s second‑largest city.