Karen Bass has advanced to the general election for mayor of Los Angeles, as reported by the Associated Press on June 3, 2026. With 63% of the votes counted, Bass leads with 34.8% and 172,720 votes, followed by Republican Spencer Pratt at 30.4% and Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman at 22.3%. No winner has been declared yet, and the final results will take time to process due to California's voting system, which includes extensive mail-in ballot verification.
Bass was first elected in 2022 and has faced criticism for her handling of the Palisades fire in January 2025, particularly for being abroad during the crisis. Pratt, who lost his home in the fire, has accused Bass of incompetence. He has gained popularity through an aggressive campaign strategy, including viral online content. Despite his strong performance, it remains uncertain whether he or Raman will advance to the general election.
Under California's jungle primary system, the top two candidates will proceed to the runoff if no candidate secures a majority. Bass's reelection campaign emphasizes the need for continued change in the city, while Raman has expressed concerns about public safety and the city's response to recent challenges.
The election results are expected to take longer to finalize due to the state's mail-in voting procedures, which require thorough checks to ensure ballot integrity. This includes signature verification and the acceptance of mail ballots postmarked by Election Day, which can arrive up to a week later.
