Reality star Spencer Pratt is making strides in Los Angeles politics, rising to second place in the latest polls for the mayoral election, which is already proving volatile.
The findings from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs show incumbent Karen Bass leading with 25% support. However, Pratt is trailing closely behind at 11%, a surprising twist that positions this celebrity contender ahead of more seasoned politicians and adds to the uncertainty surrounding the race.
City council member Nitya Raman holds third place with 9%, while the remaining candidates are struggling to gain traction, mostly stuck in the low single digits.
With just two months to go before the primary on June 2, a significant 40% of voters remain undecided, which hints at a sense of dissatisfaction or confusion among the electorate.
This poll surveyed 813 voters between March 15 and March 29, featuring a margin of error of 4%.
Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA Luskin, remarked on the unusual state of affairs, saying, “It’s rare to see 40% of voters undecided so close to the election. This race is quite open.”
Pratt, who gained fame through reality television, has recently lost his home due to the Palisades fire and has been outspoken about the city’s administrative issues.
This uncertainty appears to coincide with declining support for Bass.
Poll results indicate that 49% of those surveyed view the mayor unfavorably, a stark increase from 32% a year prior, setting the stage for what could be one of the most challenging re-elections in decades.
Other candidates, such as housing advocate Ray Chen Fan and nonprofit executive Adam Miller, are not faring much better, each receiving only 3% support. Additionally, 9% of voters have indicated their support for a different candidate entirely.
These figures illustrate a divided electorate, complicating the campaigning process for all involved. If no candidate secures 50% of the vote in June, the top two contenders will advance to a runoff in November, a possibility that appears increasingly likely.
