Nithya Raman, a progressive Los Angeles City Council member and Democratic Socialist, advanced to the November runoff for mayor after finishing second in the June 2 primary election [1, 2, 3].

Raman secured about 28.5% of the vote, narrowly surpassing Republican Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star backed by Donald Trump, who received 25.8% as late mail-in ballots were counted through June 8 [3, 4, 5, 6].

Pratt had initially led the race but lost ground as tens of thousands of ballots were processed. The vote difference when Raman pulled ahead was approximately 3,000 votes [1]. Despite the delay caused by California’s extensive mail-in system, fewer than 150,000 ballots remained to be counted, with the outcome largely settled [1].

Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, a former congresswoman, secured enough votes on primary night to advance to the runoff [2, 3, 7]. Bass’s campaign strategist Douglas Herman said, "A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning" [3].

Pratt, whose home was destroyed in the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, campaigned on criticisms of slow rebuilding efforts, homelessness, and public safety concerns [2, 8, 4]. He told reporters, "They’re not the only ones who know where to find votes" amid the tight counting period [2]. Donald Trump, who endorsed Pratt, alleged without evidence that the election was rigged and called out the slow ballot count, saying, "It’s four days and they aren’t even close to counting [ballots]" [1].

The U.S. Justice Department and FBI launched multiple investigations related to election fraud in Los Angeles during the ballot counting phase [1, 6].

Raman entered the race late in February 2026, hours before the filing deadline, having previously endorsed Bass as mayor [2, 8]. She pledged, "I'm incredibly honored that voters have given us the opportunity to advance to the general election for Mayor of Los Angeles. Now our fight for a healthier, safer, more affordable, and more joyful Los Angeles continues" [3]. She also emphasized the need to address Los Angeles’s homelessness crisis and an affordable housing shortage of approximately 270,000 units [8, 7]. Raman said, "We can bring LA back to what it really is: one of the most creative, beautiful and most hopeful places in the world. But only if we come together to fight for it" [7].

The November runoff between incumbent Karen Bass and Nithya Raman will decide the next mayor of Los Angeles.