world-economy

Los Angeles Mayoral Race Heads to Polls Tuesday; Runoff Likely

Los Angeles voters head to the polls Tuesday in a nonpartisan mayoral election that prediction markets suggest will advance to a November runoff. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass holds 93% odds of advancing to the second round, where traders estimate she has a 65% chance of winning re-election. Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt, a registered Republican, has about a three-in-four chance of reaching the runoff and a 25% chance of ultimate victory. City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democrat, faces steeper odds with a 28% likelihood of advancing and just 11% odds of winning the race. Following a May debate, traders significantly downgraded Raman's prospects, with her winning odds collapsing from nearly 60% to single digits. Bass has consistently led public polling but remained well short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second round.