LA Dems Brace for Bruising Bass–Raman Runoff After Pratt Exit

Los Angeles’ mayoral runoff between incumbent Karen Bass and council member Nithya Raman is shaping into a high-stakes intra-Democratic showdown five months after Spencer Pratt’s controversial candidacy dominated headlines. While Raman surpassed Pratt to reach the runoff, operatives warn the contest could fracture Democratic support in the nation’s second-largest city, with Bass seeking a broad coalition and Raman riding progressive energy. Pratt’s exit may ease some pressure, but his supporters’ attacks and questions about election integrity signal a contentious, expensive race that will define LA politics for months to come.