Los Angeles mayor election results: See who is leading June 2 primary

(This story will be updated with results after polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2.)

Los Angeles, one of the most populous cities in the nation, has a choice to make on Tuesday, June 2. Do they reelect Mayor Karen Bass, or will someone else assume the role?

Say, a former reality TV star who has spurred comments from President Donald Trump, or the city councilmember who pushed out an incumbent and collected the endorsement of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the race for her seat in 2020.

Polls have shown that following Bass, Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman have been the leading candidates in this race. Pratt, who lost his home to the Palisades Fire last January, has described himself as Bass’ “worst nightmare” and as the candidate appealing to Los Angelenos’ common sense, framing his lack of government experience as an asset for a city in dire need of fixing.

Raman’s last-minute entry in the race earlier this year stirred buzz over what it would mean for Bass. She’s spoken about frustrations with how the city is being ran and concerns with the “political establishment,” pointing to administrative slog and scrutiny over the mayor’s homelessness program, Inside Safe.

They’re far from Los Angelenos' only options. More than a dozen people in total will be on the ballot, including Adam Miller, the nonprofit executive and entrepreneur, and Rae Huang, the progressive pastor and housing advocate.

Then there’s the mayor herself, who was elected to this role in 2022 after defeating businessman Rick Caruso.

Previously having served in the California Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, Bass early in her tenure as mayor signed an executive directive on affordable housing and temporary housing. She also launched her Inside Safe program, intended to move people off the streets and from encampments into housing. But looming over Bass has been scrutiny over her handling of the Palisades Fire last year.  

Despite that, Bass was reportedly endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris. Other big names include Magic Johnson and unions like the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

If an incumbent doesn’t outright win in these non-partisan primary elections in Los Angeles, they are in trouble, said Fernando Guerra, political science professor at Loyola Marymount University and director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles.

“The reason you don’t win the primary is because the majority of the people don’t want you,” Guerra said.

Whoever wins will be tasked with leading the city for four years, including when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics.

See recent LA mayor race polls

A poll released days before the Los Angeles mayoral election on June 2 shows where Mayor Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman stand.

The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll showed 26% of likely voters support Bass, followed by Raman at 25% and Pratt at 22%, according to the Los Angeles Times, which said it co-sponsored the poll. Trailing behind the three contenders were Rae Huang at 9% and Adam Miller at 5%. The poll, conducted from May 19-24, found 10% were either undecided or did not vote for mayor.

Raman, a Los Angeles city councilmember, and Pratt, the former reality TV star who has spurred comments from President Donald Trump, have frequently led in the polls following Bass, although there are more than a dozen names that’ll appear on the ballots for this race.

In May, a poll found that it was Pratt who saw the largest increase in support among his fellow candidates: 22% supported the former “The Hills” star compared to 10% in March. That Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics poll, released on May 13, found that 30% of voters supported Bass, which was up from 20% in March. Meanwhile, 19% supported Raman, up from 9% in March.

Miller, a nonprofit executive and entrepreneur, had 7% and Huang, a pastor and housing advocate, had 4%, according to the Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics poll. However, 16% of likely voters were undecided.

How do these recent polls compare to earlier polling?

A poll released in April from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs found that Bass and Pratt earned support in the double-digits at 25% and 11% respectively — the only two candidates to do so. Raman followed at 9%, and Huang and Miller tied at 3%.

Other races to watch on June 2 in Southern California

Just like Los Angeles, numerous cities and counties in Southern California are holding local elections on June 2. These include elections for board of supervisors, district and city attorneys, superintendents and more. Here’s just a few we’re watching.

Los Angeles City Council

Los Angelenos will be electing who will represent them across swaths of the city. All odd-numbered districts have seats up for grabs. However, the race for city councilmember for District 9 — this area includes parts of downtown Los Angeles — is key in that its longtime representative, Curren Price, is termed out. Candidates for this district are Martha Sánchez, Jose Ugarte, Estuardo Mazariegos, Elmer Roldan, Jorge Hernandez Rosas and Jorge Nuño. This race has two write-in candidates as well, according to a certified list of write-in candidates.

Meanwhile, incumbent Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park is defending her District 11 seat from Faizah Malik, a civil rights attorney endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, Los Angeles. The district includes more affluent areas of the city like the Pacific Palisades and Brentwood.

Los Angeles County sales tax increase for health care services

Voters will decide on a countywide, temporary general sales tax increase of half a percent. The sales tax is in response to anticipated strain on health care and other services in the county due to Trump’s tax and spending bill signed into law last year. The increase is expected to generate $1 billion annually and would be in effect for five years if voters approve it.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

The Los Angeles County Supervisors govern a sprawling county made up of nearly 100 cities and millions of residents. Naturally, whoever serves in one of two open seats in this election is worth watching.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents District 1, is termed out. The district, which spans from Alhambra to Pomona, is up for grabs among five contenders: Noel Almario, Elaine Alaniz, Maria Elena Durazo, Annabella Figueroa Mazariegos and David E. Argudo.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, an incumbent, is running for reelection for her District 3, which comprises swaths of the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. Horvath faces Tonia Arey, Carmenlina Minasyan and Tomás Sidenfaden.

When do polls close?

Polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2.

Election results timing

Early results from ballots cast before Election Day should trickle in after polls close on June 2, however, counting ballots will continue after Election Day, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

What happens if no one wins LA mayor race?

If no candidate receives a majority of votes in this election, the two candidates with the most votes will face each other in an election in November.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].