Los Angeles Mayoral Runoff: Battling for Pratt Voters

More than 300,000 Los Angeles voters who cast ballots for losing candidates in the mayoral primary are crucial in the Nov. 3 runoff between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman. Their choices could determine the city’s leadership for the next four years.

Among these voters, nearly 218,000 supported Spencer Pratt, a Republican who excelled in Pacific Palisades and conservative areas. Pratt continues to criticize both Bass and Raman.

The Pratt vote is of critical importance, said Dan Schnur, a former Republican consultant and current professor at USC, UC Berkeley, and Pepperdine. He noted that in a close election, Pratt’s supporters could be decisive.

Bass and Raman, both Democrats, must connect with Pratt voters without alienating their liberal base, analysts say. Fernando Guerra, a Loyola Marymount University professor, emphasized avoiding messages that might lose more than they gain.

Both campaigns may use outside spending groups and surrogates to appeal to Pratt voters. The Police Protective League, representing LAPD officers, is polling areas where Pratt did well. They plan to spend millions on anti-Raman ads, highlighting her Democratic Socialists of America endorsement and agenda.

Conservative allies of the mayor, like Councilmembers Traci Park and John Lee, have praised the mayor and criticized Raman. Rick Caruso, who lost to Bass previously, has recently spoken favorably of Bass.

Raman, being more progressive, has fewer surrogates to reach conservative voters. She positions herself as anti-establishment, aiming to leverage Pratt supporters’ negative views of Bass.

After securing a spot in the runoff, Raman acknowledged Pratt’s influence by voicing the frustrations of many in the city.

Despite her nonideological approach, Ana Dahan of Thrive LA suggests Bass’s policies may appeal more to Pratt voters. Bass has supported anti-encampment laws and expanding the LAPD, while Raman has sometimes opposed these measures.

Raman’s DSA membership could potentially alienate Pratt voters. Lisa Becker, a Pratt supporter, prefers Bass, considering her the lesser of two evils. Another Pratt voter, Jay Handal, dissatisfied with Bass, plans to vote for Raman seeing her as a necessary change.

Pratt remains critical of both candidates. Despite moments of positivity towards Bass, he has disparaged both her and Raman. He hasn’t endorsed either candidate, and Matt Klink, a Republican consultant, doesn’t expect him to.

There is speculation that many Pratt voters might not participate in the general election. However, Republican consultant Mike Murphy sees the potential for Pratt voters to influence the outcome significantly, suggesting a meaningful edge for one candidate could tip the election.