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Reality TV Figure Emerges as Serious Contender in Los Angeles Mayor's Race

A former television personality is polling competitively in Los Angeles's mayoral primary just days before voting. Spencer Pratt threatens to force incumbent Mayor Karen Bass into a November runoff. Pratt is at 22% support among likely voters, trailing Bass at 26% and City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 25%, according to a UC Berkeley-Los Angeles Times survey. Pratt and Raman each gained eight percentage points since March. The nonpartisan race advances its top two finishers to a runoff if no candidate exceeds 50% in Tuesday's primary. Pratt has built his campaign around homelessness, crime, fire preparedness and business costs following the Pacific Palisades fire that destroyed his residence. He has criticized Bass's record on public safety and disaster readiness, framing the race as a competency referendum for City Hall.