Los Angeles Democrats Brace for 2-Way Runoff After Spencer Pratt Loses Primary
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 12
Los Angeles Democrats Brace for 2-Way Runoff After Spencer Pratt Loses Primary
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 12
Summary
A two-Democrat November runoff between Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman has replaced fears of a Spencer Pratt advance, leaving Los Angeles Democrats relieved but preparing for a bruising race.
Polls made Pratt the easier general-election opponent: Bass held a double-digit edge over him, while Berkeley IGS showed Raman with a slight lead in a head-to-head matchup.
Bass allies had quietly preferred facing Pratt, and some supporters including the police union tried to boost him into the runoff; now strategists say beating Raman will require more time, money and effort.
Pratt had not conceded as of Thursday, and his followers were still pushing baseless election-integrity claims, extending the rancor even after Democrats celebrated his exit from the race.
The contest is unusually tense for Los Angeles because Raman entered late after previously endorsing Bass, turning the runoff into a personal and ideological fight inside City Hall's Democratic coalition.