Karen Bass keeps lead in LA mayoral race after fiery debate

Published May 13, 2026 12:20pm ET | Updated May 13, 2026 1:55pm ET



Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass holds the lead in a field of rivals looking to claim victory in the city’s mayoral race this fall, according to a new poll. 

The poll from Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics showed Bass holds 30% of voters’ support, followed by reality television star Spencer Pratt at 22% and Councilwoman Nithya Raman with 19%. Support for Bass increased by 10 points since March, Pratt by 12 points, and Raman by 10 points, while the percentage of undecided voters dropped from 51% to 16%, according to the survey.

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