This weekend, leading candidates for mayor of Los Angeles intensified their efforts to capture voters’ attention before Tuesday’s primary election. Mayor Karen Bass, energized and accompanied by labor union workers, rallied the crowd on Saturday with chants of “Four more years!” and received support from local and state Democratic leaders.
City Councilmember Nithya Raman had a busy day traveling between local businesses in a distinctive yellow Scout convertible. She took the opportunity to engage with business owners and supporters. Meanwhile, former reality TV personality Spencer Pratt organized a block party in Baldwin Village, featuring barbecue food and American-flag lawn chairs. Although Pratt was present, much of his time was spent listening to concerns from Black residents.
Recent polls show a competitive race, with Pratt and Raman closely trailing Bass. A survey conducted by The Times reports Bass with 26%, Raman at 25%, and Pratt at 22%, amid a margin of error around 3%. 10% of voters remain undecided. In Tuesday’s jungle primary, the top two candidates will advance to a November runoff, unless one candidate achieves over 50% of the vote.
During a campaign event in Baldwin Village, Pratt emphasized listening to the community’s needs. He engaged directly with attendees, offering his phone number for further discussions. “I’m here because I want to be a voice for the community,” Pratt asserted, highlighting his commitment to addressing local issues.
Raman’s campaign focused on policy plans, particularly for small businesses. She spent Saturday interacting with local restaurant owners, and later connected with supporters at the Lowboy Bar in Echo Park. Young residents expressed their admiration for Raman’s work as a council member and their hope for Los Angeles to address issues like affordability and sustainability.
Mayor Bass, after attending union rallies, joined local politicians like Councilmember Monica Rodriguez and several prominent figures for community events. Supporters praised her initiatives addressing homelessness through the Inside Safe program and improvements observed in their neighborhoods during her term.
Looking to Sunday, Pratt chose more private community engagement, with moments focused away from media attention. Among his activities was a community meeting in a Latino neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles. Raman participated in events aimed at reaching out to voters, reinforcing the significance of individual efforts in swaying the election result.