Republican Spencer Pratt, former star of MTV’s “The Hills,” is gaining momentum in the Los Angeles mayoral race against incumbent Democrat Karen Bass as the June 2 primary approaches. Recent polling shows a competitive three-way contest that could reshape the political landscape of America’s second-largest city.
A Los Angeles Times poll places Bass at 30%, Pratt at 22%, and City Council member Nithya Raman at 20%, with 16% of voters still undecided. Mail voting is already underway for the primary election that will determine which candidates advance to a potential November 3 runoff.
Main Developments in the Race
The Los Angeles mayoral race has taken an unexpected turn with Pratt’s campaign generating significant online attention. An AI-generated viral video depicting Bass as the Joker from Batman has accumulated over 5 million views on X. Pratt’s campaign has denied being behind the creation of the AI-generated Batman and Joker video.
Pratt formally launched his mayoral campaign in January following the devastating Los Angeles fires that destroyed his Pacific Palisades home. Pratt and his wife Heidi Montag lost their residence in the blaze. TMZ reported that Pratt and Montag were living at Hotel Bel-Air following the loss of their home.
“This just isn’t a campaign — this is a mission, and we are going to expose the system. We are going into every dark corner of L.A. politics and disinfecting the city with our light,” Pratt stated about his candidacy.
President Donald Trump has commented on Pratt’s campaign, stating, “I’d like to see him do well. He’s a character.”
Bass Faces Criticism Over Fire Response
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, seeking a second term, faces significant political headwinds. A March Los Angeles Times poll showed 56% of voters hold an unfavorable view of Bass, with criticism centered on her handling of the Palisades fires.
The Bass campaign has acknowledged the competitive nature of the race. A Bass campaign spokesperson stated, “We have to take every competitor seriously. Anything can happen.”
Nithya Raman, a City Council member and member of Democratic Socialists of America, formally launched her campaign in March, offering voters a progressive alternative to both Bass and Pratt.
A source familiar with Raman’s campaign assessed the political landscape: “The majority of voters disapprove of the job Mayor Bass has done. The question is do they want a progressive alternative or a MAGA Republican alternative.”
What We Know So Far
The June 2 primary will narrow the field of candidates. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a November 3 runoff election.
Current polling indicates a tight race with Bass holding a lead but falling short of the majority threshold needed to avoid a runoff. The 16% of undecided voters could prove decisive in determining which candidates move forward.
Roxanne Hoge, Los Angeles Republican Party Chair, has observed the unusual energy surrounding Pratt’s campaign. “To see, not only online, but to see people in real life getting super excited about this is very unusual,” Hoge said.
However, Hoge also offered a note of caution about translating online enthusiasm into electoral success. “I always caution people that, you know, likes and clicks and followers are not votes, but there is a vibe shift. There is momentum,” she stated.
The Question of Online Attention Versus Real Votes
The central question facing Pratt’s campaign is whether viral social media attention can translate into actual votes at the ballot box. The over 5 million views on the AI-generated video featuring Bass demonstrate significant online engagement, but political observers note that social media metrics do not automatically convert to electoral support.
Pratt rose to fame on MTV’s reality series “The Hills” and has maintained public visibility through various media appearances. His wife Heidi Montag released an album titled “Superficial” in 2010, which recently gained renewed attention after celebrity Bad Bunny streamed Montag’s music.
The personal connection to the Los Angeles fires through the loss of their home has given Pratt a platform to criticize the city’s disaster response and Bass’s leadership during the crisis.
What Happens Next
Voters will cast their ballots in the June 2 primary election. With mail voting already underway, campaigns are in the final push to reach voters before the deadline.
If the current polling holds and no candidate surpasses the 50% threshold, Los Angeles voters would return to the polls on November 3 for a runoff between the top two vote-getters.
The outcome could see any combination of the three leading candidates advance, given the relatively close polling numbers separating Bass at 30%, Pratt at 22%, and Raman at 20%.
Key Candidates in the Race
Karen Bass is the incumbent Democratic mayor running for her second term. She has faced criticism for her handling of the Palisades fires, which has contributed to her unfavorable ratings in recent polling.
Spencer Pratt is running as a Republican candidate. The former reality TV star launched his campaign in January following the fires that destroyed his home.
Nithya Raman is a City Council member and member of Democratic Socialists of America who launched her campaign in March, positioning herself as a progressive alternative.
Other notable political figures connected to the race include California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, though their specific involvement in the mayoral contest was not detailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Los Angeles mayoral primary election?
The primary election is scheduled for June 2. Mail voting is already underway for registered voters.
Who is leading in the Los Angeles mayoral race polls?
According to a Los Angeles Times poll, Karen Bass leads with 30%, followed by Spencer Pratt at 22% and Nithya Raman at 20%. Sixteen percent of voters remain undecided.
Will there be a runoff election for Los Angeles mayor?
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the June 2 primary, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election scheduled for November 3.
Why is Spencer Pratt running for Los Angeles mayor?
Pratt launched his campaign in January after he and his wife Heidi Montag lost their Pacific Palisades home in the Los Angeles fires. He has criticized the city’s response to the disaster.
What is Karen Bass’s approval rating?
A March Los Angeles Times poll showed 56% of voters hold an unfavorable view of Bass, largely due to criticism of her handling of the Palisades fires.
The Los Angeles mayoral race enters its final days before the June 2 primary with three candidates competing for voter support. The outcome will determine whether incumbent Karen Bass can secure her position or whether Spencer Pratt’s unconventional campaign and online momentum will result in actual votes at the ballot box.
