Bass Advances to LA Runoff Against Pratt or Raman

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will advance to a November runoff election after failing to secure a majority in Tuesday's primary, according to multiple reports. She will face either Councilmember Nithya Raman or reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, with partial returns initially placing Pratt in second and Raman in third.

The race has been closely contested, with polls showing tight margins between the three candidates. A May 28 UC Berkeley-LA Times poll indicated that Bass held a slim lead at 26%, followed by Raman at 25% and Pratt at 22%. Campaign strategist Luis Alvarado told CBS LA that the race is 'tied within the margin of error.' Additionally, UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs found that 40% of likely voters were undecided two months before the primary.

Bass acknowledged past mistakes during her tenure but highlighted reductions in homicides and street homelessness as key achievements. She was abroad as part of a presidential delegation when the Palisades Fire ignited, adding to the scrutiny she faces. Meanwhile, Pratt has claimed celebrity endorsements from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx, despite previously stating he does not want such endorsements.

Pratt's campaign has seen a surge in fundraising following his debate performance, with supporters citing his 'common-sense' solutions to the city's problems. He argues that many homeless individuals are addicted to drugs and refuse shelter rules, proposing policies that would push them to other cities like Seattle. Pratt opposes federal immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles and has criticized Bass's approach to immigration issues.

The race is expected to be closely contested, with no candidate likely to secure more than 50% of the vote in the nonpartisan June 2 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to a November runoff election. Pratt filed a formal complaint against Bass for allegedly violating election laws by campaigning within 100 feet of a ballot box, which is against state law.

Bass has started rolling out celebrity endorsements as she fights for her political survival. She received support from Jane Fonda, but some Democratic strategists argue that such endorsements might reinforce the perception that Democrats are the party of elites. Pratt's campaign has raised millions of dollars, outpacing his competitors.

As reported by Daily Mail, with 63% of votes counted, Bass leads with 34.8%, followed by Pratt at 30.44%, and Raman trailing in third place with 22.32%. Pratt has been gaining momentum, positioning himself as an outsider who will tackle the city's homelessness crisis and improve emergency response infrastructure.

Pratt's primary night party was attended by A-listers, including his wife, reality TV star Heidi Montag. His campaign has been fueled by resident rage at the city's response to the Palisades Fire, which destroyed their $3 million home. Pratt has pledged to combat homeless encampments and streamline emergency response processes.

Raman burst into tears as early results showed her falling into third place. Her campaign focused on progressive policies, including maintaining Los Angeles' 'Sanctuary City' status and opposing bans on homeless encampments near schools. Bass, a former member of Congress and the first Black woman to serve as mayor, has acknowledged challenges during her tenure but points to reductions in homelessness and crime rates.