Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman’s mayoral campaign appears headed for defeat after finishing third place in Tuesday’s primary election, trailing both incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and reality television personality Spencer Pratt in a stunning upset that could eliminate her from advancing to November’s general election.
Primary Results Show Significant Gap
As of Wednesday morning at 2:30 a.m., Bass led the three-way race with 34.8 percent of the vote, totaling 172,720 votes. Pratt secured second place with 30.4 percent and 151,149 votes, while Raman garnered just 22.3 percent with 110,848 votes. The eight-point margin between Raman and Pratt represents a substantial deficit with 63.1 percent of votes counted, according to Associated Press data.
Under Los Angeles election rules, the top two candidates advance to the November general election. If current results hold, Raman’s campaign would end despite her role as a city councilwoman and chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee. The councilwoman has not yet conceded, with some analysts suggesting late-arriving mail ballots could narrow the gap.
Emotional Concession Speech to Supporters
Raman became visibly emotional while addressing supporters Tuesday night as results showed her trailing position. Speaking to her children, she expressed hope that they understood the campaign’s purpose. She told them that everyone present had been fighting to build a city worthy of them and every child in Los Angeles. The councilwoman’s campaign had centered on addressing homelessness and increasing housing production.
Campaign Challenges and Split Support
Raman shocked political observers in February by announcing her mayoral bid after previously supporting Bass. Her campaign attracted leftist voters dissatisfied with Bass’s leadership on homelessness issues. However, she faced criticism for her own handling of the homeless crisis, including a protest encampment outside her residence. Another factor potentially weakening her campaign was competing candidate Rae Huang, who drew approximately three percent of votes and may have prevented Raman from securing an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America.
Pratt’s Viral Campaign Strategy
Pratt gained momentum in recent weeks through viral social media videos highlighting his activism following the Palisades fire and criticizing both Raman and Bass for city management failures. His unconventional campaign strategy proved effective with voters despite his background in reality television rather than traditional politics. The results contrast sharply with hopes that Raman might replicate the success of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another socialist candidate who won with DSA support.
