Karen Bass appears to liken Spencer Pratt to Trump amid tightening LA mayoral race
Los Angeles Mayoral Race Heats Up as Candidates Make Final Push Before Election Day
As Los Angeles voters prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday, the city’s mayoral election is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested in recent history. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, seeking a second term, faces strong challenges from former reality television star Spencer Pratt and city council member Nithya Raman, with recent polls indicating no candidate is likely to secure a majority. This scenario sets the stage for a potential runoff election in November, adding intensity to the final weekend of campaigning.
Bass, a Democrat backed by prominent figures including former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, spent Saturday engaging directly with voters at the Yosemite Recreation Center in Eagle Rock. During the visit, she was seen serving tacos while wearing an apron emblazoned with the slogan “Common Sense and Carne Asada,” a lighthearted touch aimed at connecting with the community. In an Instagram livestream later that day, Bass took a sharp swipe at Pratt, referring to him as a “failed reality TV star who wants to be famous.” She drew a parallel to national politics, suggesting, “We know what it means if you put somebody who is a reality TV star in a seat of power,” alluding to former President Donald Trump without naming him directly.
Pratt, best known for his role on the reality show “The Hills,” has leveraged his celebrity status to criticize Bass aggressively, focusing on key issues like the city’s response to the January 2025 wildfires that destroyed thousands of structures, including his own home in Pacific Palisades. He has also highlighted concerns over homelessness, drug addiction, and crime, framing Bass’s tenure as a failure. Despite gaining momentum in recent weeks—bolstered by endorsements from fellow reality TV personalities, actors, and musicians—Pratt, a registered Republican, faces an uphill battle in a city where Democratic candidates have historically dominated local elections. On Saturday, he used social media platform X to attack Raman’s campaign advertisements, keeping the focus on his critiques of the incumbent.
Raman, meanwhile, has maintained a competitive edge by emphasizing resilience and voter engagement. In a video posted to Instagram, she pointed to recent polling data and urged supporters to turn out, stating, “After millions of dollars of spending against us, we are still here and we are still competitive.” Her campaign has focused on grassroots efforts and policy discussions, positioning herself as a viable alternative in the crowded field.
The primary election’s structure means that if no candidate surpasses 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a November runoff, a prospect that has all three campaigns working overtime. As the final days before Election Day unfold, the race remains fluid, with each candidate leveraging their unique strengths—Bass’s institutional support, Pratt’s populist appeal, and Raman’s council-level experience—to sway voters. The outcome could hinge on key issues like disaster response, urban challenges, and the broader political dynamics of a city long aligned with Democratic leadership.
