2026 Election Results: Raman moves into second place in LA mayoral race

Councilmember Nithya Raman moved into second place in the Los Angeles mayoral race on Sunday, June 7, 2026, after a dramatic shift in vote counts. The latest update from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office showed Raman with 27.12% of the vote, surpassing former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who had 26.69%. Mayor Karen Bass continued to lead with 34.68%, setting the stage for a potential November runoff. Raman’s rise was fueled by a net gain of over 43,000 votes since Election Day, narrowing Pratt’s lead from 40,000 votes on June 3 to a 3,100-vote deficit by Sunday. Political observers, including former City Councilmember Zev Yaroslavsky, noted that Raman had outperformed Pratt in recent ballot batches, suggesting progressive-leaning voters were driving the shift. Yaroslavsky cautioned that while Raman’s momentum was significant, the race remained unresolved with 368,180 ballots still outstanding. Bass’s campaign criticized Raman’s positions on homelessness and public safety, framing a potential runoff battle. Meanwhile, Pratt’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment, though he acknowledged the vote swing via social media. The Associated Press projected Bass for the runoff but had not yet projected a second candidate, reflecting the fluidity of the race. Election officials expect additional vote updates as late-arriving ballots are processed, a common trend in California elections. The final results could reshape the mayoral contest, with national attention focused on the shifting dynamics in Los Angeles.