UMVA has learned that a stunning upset is unfolding in the Los Angeles mayoral primary, with Democrat City Councilwoman Nithya Raman surging into second place and leaving Spencer Pratt in third.
The dramatic shift in fortunes came after a massive ballot dump on June 7, 2026, at 8 pm ET, which heavily favored the Democratic candidates. Raman gained over 19,000 votes, while incumbent Mayor Karen Bass secured nearly 16,000 votes, and Pratt trailed with just under 8,500 votes.
With an estimated 146,000 ballots still to be counted, Raman now trails Bass by a relatively small margin, while Pratt lags behind by more than 3,000 votes. This sudden change of fortunes has raised eyebrows, particularly given that Pratt had dominated mail-in ballots received by election day.
However, the late-arriving mail-in votes have told a different story, with Democrats receiving a disproportionate share of the votes. This has led to questions about the source of these votes and the legitimacy of the results.
Multiple election analysts are already projecting that Raman will advance to a runoff with Bass in November, dealing a significant blow to Pratt's mayoral ambitions. The question on everyone's lips is: can Pratt mount a comeback, or is it game over for his mayoral bid?
Raman's surge in late-arriving mail-in vote results has narrowed the deficit between her and Pratt by 13,000 votes, leaving Pratt's lead at just 7,494 votes, or roughly 1.1% of the total ballots counted. The stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain.
The latest developments have sent shockwaves through the Los Angeles political establishment, with many wondering what the future holds for the city's next mayor. One thing is certain: the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the city's residents and businesses.
