Spencer Pratt, a former mayoral candidate and reality television figure, did not make it to the November runoff but still garnered a significant number of votes in June’s City Council election.
Some of his backers expressed feelings of disappointment, while a few went so far as to suggest the election was “rigged,” although no supportive evidence for this claim was provided.
Ron Goldschmidt, a 50-year-old resident of Palisades who lost his home in a fire, articulated his discontent to the California Post, stating he felt the election wasn’t fair. “I think he should be willing to fight for a good cause,” he remarked.
At present, 217,718 voters—or 25.5% of those who cast ballots in the Los Angeles mayoral race—are facing a choice between two candidates, both of whom have described the situation as “not really a choice.”
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and DSA-supported Nitya Raman are competing for control of the country’s second-largest city, which is gearing up for the nearly $15 billion LA28 Olympics amidst rising immigration tensions and complicated relations with the federal government.
Interviews with around 20 voters from Platte regarding their candidate’s defeat revealed a segment of the electorate harboring deep mistrust towards the city’s electoral system, alongside sharp criticism of Bass’s time as mayor and skepticism regarding Raman, whom some characterized as having “communist” inclinations.
Among these discussions, it became apparent that most individuals did not intend to participate in the upcoming mayoral election, although a few mentioned that they might cast protest votes for Pratt, even knowing those votes wouldn’t count.
A few people referred to Bass as a “known devil,” planning to vote for him, but one voter expressed support for Raman—an outlier among Pratt’s supporters.
“I think the election was fraudulent.”
Goldschmidt, an independent voter, stated he would abstain from voting in the runoff. “What do you mean? It’s just so corrupt,” he said. “I’ve spoken with many Pratt supporters who feel similarly. Recent events have really woken people up.”
This referred to claims regarding videos where some unhoused individuals in Skid Row allegedly mentioned being paid small amounts to register and vote for Bass and Raman. While these assertions couldn’t be independently verified, they stirred skepticism among Pratt’s voters.
California’s laws permit homeless individuals to vote if they meet specific criteria, allowing registration at shelters, parks, or any places they typically reside.
Goldschmidt expressed that Pratt should keep fighting rather than giving up and relocating. “I could understand if he did that, but I hope he won’t,” he shared. Initially, Pratt indicated he might leave the city if he lost, but later stated he preferred to “go to war.” He also claimed to possess evidence that could compel Bass and Raman to resign, which was supported by various video clips and memes.
Frustrations among registered Republicans who backed Pratt were evident. One voter shared, “Honestly, I might write ‘fk you’ in big letters on my ballot,” expressing anger at the perceived unfairness of the election. The voter was referring to Raman, who had overtaken Pratt’s initial lead due to mail-in ballots predominantly favoring Democrats.
Goldschmidt and fellow Pratt supporters had initially voted for Rick Caruso in 2022, hoping he would take another shot at the mayoral race or at least back Pratt to attract centrist Democrats. Caruso has confirmed he will not run in 2026, despite briefly reconsidering after the Palisades fire.
Inevitably, many voters from the Palisades expressed regret over Caruso’s absence, believing he would have easily defeated Bass.
Some voters shared personal anecdotes, highlighting their dissatisfaction not only with the candidates but also with the broader political landscape. “We thought Pratt represented our hopes, but the reality is frustrating. It feels skewed,” Kenyatta Cole noted, expressing feelings of abandonment by Bass after previously supporting her.
Some voters, despite their grievances, found themselves leaning toward Raman due to their strong disapproval of Bass. Alex Hemat shared that he would reluctantly choose Raman over Bass because he felt let down by her performance.
During discussions, younger voters appeared more inclined to vote for Bass while older individuals leaned towards abstaining altogether. Despite these differences, many expressed disappointment about Pratt’s failure to advance.
