Progressive councilmember Nithya Raman surged ahead of Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral primary, moving into second place as late returns pushed her past him by roughly 3,000 votes. The tally, released by the county registrar, shows Raman at 27.12% of the vote, while Pratt fell to 26.69%. County officials estimate about 80% of ballots have been processed, leaving room for further shifts.

Mayor Karen Bass, 72, leads the field with 34.68% and has already secured a spot in the November runoff. Los Angeles uses a top‑two system; a candidate must capture a majority to win outright, otherwise the two highest vote‑getters advance. With about 80% of ballots counted and mail‑in voting extending through June 9, the final lineup remains unsettled.

Raman’s advance reflects a surge among younger, progressive voters dissatisfied with the city’s handling of wildfires and homelessness. Bass’s campaign warned that Raman would oppose increased police hiring and protect encampments near schools, while criticizing her on Hollywood jobs and ICE enforcement. The runoff will pit Bass against either Raman or Pratt, defining the city’s policy direction.