Update in mayoral race shows moves for Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman

The three leading candidates in Los Angeles’ mayoral race showed little movement in the latest ballot count Wednesday afternoon, solidifying Mayor Karen Bass’ place in November’s runoff election while leaving the contest for second place largely unchanged.Bass, Spencer Pratt and City Councilmember Nithya Raman remained in the same positions they held following Tuesday night’s initial results.Bass’s share of the vote inched up from 34.78% to 34.97%, while Pratt slipped slightly from 30.44% to 29.91%.

Raman gained modest ground, rising from 22.32% to 22.81%, according to the Associated Press.About 63% of ballots had been counted.The latest tally officially secured Bass a spot in the November runoff election, as the incumbent mayor remained one of the top two vote-getters in the nonpartisan primary.With the latest vote totals, former reality TV star Pratt still appears on track to face Bass in November’s runoff after months of intense campaigning and a tightly contested race.Polling throughout the campaign showed a narrow gap among Bass, progressive candidate Raman and Pratt, a political outsider backed by President Trump.

The mayor entered Election Day facing one of the most competitive reelection bids of her political career, with voter concerns over homelessness, public safety, affordability and the city’s recovery from the Palisades Fire dominating the campaign.Addressing supporters Tuesday night, Bass expressed confidence in the results.“In a few hours, we will declare victory,” she told the crowd.The mayoral election works such that if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the race is expected to continue to a November runoff between the top two finishers.Unlike Bass, the Pratt camp was not declared the official victor just yet, but it ended election night in high spirits.The political newcomer said a runoff campaign would provide an opportunity to introduce voters to the advisers and officials he plans to surround himself with if e...