Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass seeks a second term amid a bruising primary that pits her against liberal councilwoman Nithya Raman and reality‑TV star Spencer Pratt. 2026’s June ballot lists more than a dozen challengers, and polls show Bass’s once‑robust support has slipped, with 40 % of likely voters undecided as of March. Campaign finance totals show Bass raised $15 million, while challengers trail.

Last year’s Pacific Palisades blaze claimed 12 lives and devastated thousands of homes, striking Bass while she was abroad. The incident has strained city budgets, pushing a $2 billion fire‑relief fund into the budgetary spotlight. Critics question her crisis management, and the fire’s fallout has eroded public confidence.

Raman, once a Bass ally, accuses the mayor of mismanaging fire recovery and streetlight repairs, while Pratt frames the debate around ICE raids and drug‑related crime. The race reflects Los Angeles’ split between progressive reformers and a resurgent MAGA base. Bass’s campaign stresses infrastructure projects that cut the decade‑long streetlight backlog and highlights federal aid secured for fire victims, aiming to showcase tangible gains.