Nithya Raman Overtakes Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles Mayoral Race 2026
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman has moved into second place in the 2026 LA mayoral race, surpassing Spencer Pratt as ballot counting continues. Here's what it means for the November runoff.
Nithya Raman Surges Ahead of Spencer Pratt in Dramatic Los Angeles Mayoral Race Shake-Up
The race for Los Angeles mayor took a dramatic turn over the weekend as City Councilmember Nithya Raman officially moved ahead of reality television personality Spencer Pratt in the latest vote count, reshaping the contest for a coveted spot in the November runoff election.
The development comes just days after election night, when Pratt appeared to hold a narrow advantage over Raman. However, as additional ballots continued to be counted, Raman steadily closed the gap before ultimately overtaking Pratt for second place.
With incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass already securing enough support to advance to the November election, the primary battle has focused on determining who will face her in the final runoff.
Raman’s Late Surge Changes the Race
In the days immediately following the June primary election, Spencer Pratt maintained a slim lead over Raman. Yet election analysts noted that the trend favored the councilmember as more mail-in ballots were processed. Those predictions proved accurate when updated results showed Raman moving ahead.
According to the latest reported figures, Raman’s advantage remains narrow, highlighting just how competitive the race has become. The difference between the two candidates amounts to only a fraction of the total vote, making every remaining ballot crucial.
Political observers point out that late-counted mail ballots in California often favor Democratic and progressive candidates, a trend that appears to have benefited Raman’s campaign.
Who Is Nithya Raman?
Nithya Raman has emerged as one of Los Angeles’ most prominent progressive voices in recent years. Serving on the City Council, she built her political reputation around issues such as housing affordability, homelessness solutions, improved city services, and economic revitalization.
Her 2026 mayoral campaign has focused heavily on increasing housing production, improving public services, and addressing the city’s long-term challenges through policy-driven solutions. Raman has also presented herself as a candidate capable of bringing fresh leadership to City Hall.
Many progressive voters have rallied behind her candidacy, helping fuel the momentum that ultimately allowed her to surpass Pratt in the latest count.
Spencer Pratt’s Unconventional Campaign
Spencer Pratt’s mayoral run has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 election cycle. Best known for his appearances on the MTV reality television series The Hills, Pratt entered the race as a political outsider and quickly attracted national attention.
His campaign centered on concerns about homelessness, wildfire recovery, public safety, and frustration with the city’s political establishment. Pratt also leveraged his celebrity status and strong social media presence to connect with voters in ways that differed from traditional political campaigns.
Although he performed strongly on election night and briefly appeared poised to advance, the continued counting of ballots has put his runoff hopes in jeopardy.
Karen Bass Remains the Front-Runner
While attention has largely focused on the battle between Raman and Pratt, Karen Bass remains the leading candidate in the race. The incumbent mayor secured the highest vote total in the primary and is expected to compete in the November runoff regardless of who ultimately claims second place.
Bass has emphasized efforts to tackle homelessness, expand housing opportunities, and manage recovery from recent challenges facing the city. However, critics have questioned aspects of her administration’s handling of major issues, including wildfire preparedness and crisis management.
The final matchup could significantly shape the future political direction of Los Angeles.
Why the Result Matters
The Los Angeles mayoral race has become one of the most closely watched local elections in the United States. The contest reflects broader debates over housing policy, homelessness, public safety, economic development, and the future of one of America’s largest cities.
If Raman maintains her lead, voters could see a runoff between two Democratic candidates with differing visions for the city’s future. If Pratt somehow regains second place before counting concludes, the November election would feature a stark ideological contrast between Bass and a conservative-leaning challenger.
Election officials continue to process outstanding ballots, meaning the final outcome is not yet officially settled. Nevertheless, Raman’s move into second place marks a significant milestone and could prove decisive as Los Angeles heads toward the next stage of its mayoral election.
The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race has delivered another unexpected twist with Nithya Raman overtaking Spencer Pratt in the battle for second place. As vote counting continues, Raman now holds the inside track to face Karen Bass in November’s runoff election. Whether the lead holds or another surprise emerges, the race is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about municipal elections of the year.
