L.A.'s three-way mayoral primary tests the city's direction

Incumbent Karen Bass, councilmember Nithya Raman and reality TV figure Spencer Pratt dominate Los Angeles’ unusual mayoral primary, a race driven by AI campaign videos, dark-money mailers and national attention; with the top two likely to face off in November, the contest remains tight as Bass deals with fallout from the Palisades fire, Raman pushes aggressive housing and infrastructure reforms, and Pratt touts GOP ties in a nonpartisan race—reflecting deep public dissatisfaction and a highly unpredictable outcome.