Close Race for Los Angeles Mayor
The race for mayor of Los Angeles is tight, according to a recent poll. Democratic Mayor Karen Bass trails slightly behind Spencer Pratt, who has 30.1% support compared to Bass’s 29.5%, just ahead of next week’s primary election.
This survey, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, included responses from 400 likely voters in the city through live phone and text interviews in both English and Spanish from May 26 to May 28. The sample represented various demographics of Los Angeles: 52% identified as white, 27% as Hispanic, 10% as Black, and 9% as Asian. The respondents were 53% female and 47% male, with an average age of 52.
Although Pratt is a registered Republican, he is campaigning as an independent. Interestingly, it was noted that he garners substantial support, receiving 33% from Hispanic voters. John McLaughlin, CEO of McLaughlin & Associates, remarked, “I think the mayor’s race is more volatile than usual. Normally, this trend would spell trouble for Democrats, but Mr. Bass’s negative ratings are influencing the outcome.”
Furthermore, there have been ongoing criticisms from Pratt against California Governor Gavin Newsom and Bass regarding their handling of the recent Los Angeles wildfires that caused widespread devastation.
In his campaign materials, Pratt emphasizes issues such as homelessness, the aftermath of the wildfires, and how current city leaders “don’t have to live in the mess they created.”
Adding another layer to the race, several compelling AI-generated videos supporting Pratt have surfaced online, capturing attention in various corners of social media.
Bass has accused Pratt of taking advantage of the grief experienced by fire victims. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Bass herself has been affected by wildfires as well. Pratt’s connection to the issue is personal; his home, shared with reality TV star Heidi Montag, was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades fire, which also sparked his decision to enter public life.
