(Los Angeles, California) – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the November runoff as she seeks a second term, while Spencer Pratt is currently holding second place in the race for the final runoff spot.
With more than half of the expected vote counted, Bass is leading the field with about 36 percent of the vote. Pratt is in second with about 29 percent, while City Councilmember Nithya Raman is trailing in third at about 22 percent.
NBC News has projected Bass will advance to the runoff, but has not yet projected who her November opponent will be. If the current order holds, Bass would face Pratt in a high-profile general election showdown.
The race has drawn national attention because of Pratt’s outsider campaign, which has focused on Los Angeles’ struggles with homelessness, crime, wildfire recovery, city spending and frustration with career politicians.
Bass, the incumbent, is running on her record as mayor and arguing that her administration has made progress on homelessness, public safety and affordability.
Raman entered the race as another progressive option, pushing for broader changes to how Los Angeles handles housing, homelessness and city services.
Because Los Angeles uses a top-two system, if no candidate wins more than 50 percent, the two highest vote-getters move on to the November runoff. Bass is under the majority threshold, meaning the race now moves toward a one-on-one matchup.
The biggest question now is whether Pratt can hold off Raman as remaining ballots are counted.
77 WABC will continue updating this story as new vote totals come in.
