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Spencer Pratt’s Shock Poll Surge Shakes Up Los Angeles Mayoral Race

From Reality TV to City Hall: An Unlikely Contender Emerges

In a political earthquake that has rattled Los Angeles, Spencer Pratt—once the poster child of Laguna Beach infamy—has catapulted into second place in the race for mayor. A recent UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs poll reveals a stunning shift in the contest, as the incumbent, Karen Bass, holds a narrow lead with 25% of likely voters. But Pratt, the reality TV star turned political underdog, has shattered expectations by securing 11%, overtaking seasoned politicians and injecting a dose of chaos into an already volatile race.

Nithya Raman, a sitting City Councilmember, trails in third with 9%, while the remaining 14 candidates struggle in the single digits. A staggering 40% of voters remain undecided just two months before the June 2 primary, a figure that signals deep disillusionment with the current field. Pollsters surveyed 813 voters from March 15 to March 29, with a ±4% margin of error, underscoring the race’s unpredictability.

The Incumbent’s Fading Fortunes

Karen Bass, who assumed office after the tragic 2021 Hollywood Christmas parade tragedy, now faces mounting skepticism. Nearly half of respondents now view her unfavorably—a sharp 18-point jump from just a year ago. The erosion of her support, combined with Pratt’s meteoric rise, suggests that Angelenos are hungry for change, even if it comes in an unconventional package.

A Field in Disarray

Other candidates are fighting for relevance. Housing advocate Rae Chen Huang and nonprofit leader Adam Miller each pull in a mere 3%, while 9% of voters admit they’ll back someone else entirely. The numbers paint a picture of a deeply divided electorate, where no single vision has yet seized the public’s imagination.

What Happens Next?

If no candidate secures a majority on June 2, the top two will face a November runoff—a scenario that grows more plausible by the day. With Pratt’s sudden surge and Bass’s declining approval, the possibility of a dramatic showdown between an outsider and the political establishment looms large.

The race remains a wild card, and with so many voters still undecided, the city’s future leadership hangs in the balance. Will Los Angeles embrace a celebrity outsider or double down on another political insider? The answer may come sooner than anyone expected.