Los Angeles council member Nithya Raman advanced to the November runoff election after surpassing reality-TV star Spencer Pratt in the mayoral primary [1].
The results signal a shift in the city's political trajectory by pitting a progressive challenger against the city's current leadership. This outcome narrows the field of contenders for the mayoralty of the second-largest city in the U.S.
According to election data, the primary took place on June 3, 2026 [1]. Raman secured enough votes to meet the threshold required to move forward in the process [1]. In contrast, Pratt failed to meet that threshold and was eliminated from the race [2].
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass also advanced to the next stage of the election [1]. The runoff will determine who leads the city, with the final vote scheduled for November 2026 [3].
Throughout the primary cycle, the race drew attention due to the contrasting backgrounds of the candidates. Raman, a progressive member of the city council, campaigned on a platform of systemic reform. Pratt entered the race as a high-profile media personality, but his bid ended when he fell short of the necessary vote total [2].
The elimination of Pratt removes a non-traditional candidate from the equation, leaving the final contest to be decided between established political figures. The focus now shifts to how Raman and Bass will mobilize their respective bases for the general election.
“Nithya Raman advanced to the November runoff election after surpassing reality-TV star Spencer Pratt”
The elimination of a celebrity candidate and the advancement of a progressive council member suggests that Los Angeles voters are prioritizing legislative experience and ideological alignment over name recognition. The upcoming runoff between Bass and Raman will likely serve as a referendum on the current administration's handling of city affairs and a test of whether the progressive wing of the city's electorate can consolidate power.
