Spencer Pratt's Lead Over Nithya Raman Narrows to 1% in LA Mayoral Race

Spencer Pratt's independent campaign for the Los Angeles mayoral runoff is uncertain as the vote count continues nearly a week after Election Day. As of the latest tally, Pratt leads Democrat City Councilmember Nithya Raman by just 1%, with a few thousand ballots remaining to be counted. Current results show incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the lead with 235,180 votes (34.8%), Pratt with 184,596 votes (27.3%), and Raman with 177,102 votes (26.2%). Los Angeles County is still counting ballots that were postmarked by Election Day, which has drawn scrutiny from the Republican National Committee (RNC). The election results must be certified by July 10, 2026. The latest updates indicate that Raman has gained 23,514 votes, significantly reducing Pratt's lead. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy criticized the delayed results, attributing the issue to changes made by California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding election laws. The slow counting process has raised concerns, particularly as late ballots have consistently favored Raman. Some analysts suggest that this trend may lead to Raman advancing to the runoff, while others express skepticism about the integrity of the election process. The RNC is actively monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for election integrity and timely reporting.