Nithya Raman, a member of the Los Angeles city council, has moved into the next stage of the race for mayor of Los Angeles. She has secured a place in the November runoff. She will now face current mayor Karen Bass after a very close contest. The fight for second place was tight for days. Raman narrowly passed former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who had briefly led the count. The race shifted as more ballots were processed in the days after the election. Bass, who is the current leader of Los Angeles, had already confirmed her place in the November election after the June primary. But the second spot in the runoff stayed uncertain for nearly a week. Election officials in California are still counting large numbers of ballots. Many voters send in mail ballots close to the deadline. This slows down final results but ensures full checks and accuracy. Raman’s advance sets up a key political battle in the coming months. She is seen as a progressive voice in city politics. She has built her campaign around housing reform and homelessness policy. Her supporters say she focuses on long-term solutions and stronger planning systems. Bass’s campaign quickly reacted after Raman moved ahead. A strategist for Bass said the mayor looks forward to the race. The statement also criticized Raman’s record on homelessness and public safety. The campaign argued that Bass’s approach is more effective for the city’s needs. The race has also been shaped by strong public debate over Los Angeles policy. The city continues to face major challenges, including homelessness, housing costs, and public safety concerns. These issues are expected to be central in the runoff campaign. Outside the mayoral race, California is also waiting for results in other major elections. In the governor’s race, voters are watching closely to see who will face former federal official Xavier Becerra in the general election. The slow counting process has added tension across the state. At the same time, false claims about election fraud have spread online. Some political figures have repeated unverified claims about vote counting. These statements have increased public confusion while officials continue their work. Pratt also raised doubts in a social media post. He suggested that unexpected ballots were influencing the outcome. His comments were widely shared online but not supported by election officials. Pratt’s campaign had gained attention in the weeks before the vote. He became a surprise figure in the race after a strong social media push. He also released campaign videos that went viral and drew both support and criticism. However, his lack of political experience remained a major issue throughout the campaign. Critics also pointed to his background in entertainment and his past as a registered Republican in a heavily Democratic city. Raman entered the race late in the process, just before the filing deadline in February. Her entry changed the direction of the contest. She had earlier supported Bass’s re-election campaign, and both politicians had publicly praised each other in the past. Bass once described Raman as a strong example of grassroots leadership focused on housing issues. Raman also thanked Bass for her support at the time. Despite this history, the current race has become more competitive and direct. Raman has avoided focusing on personal relationships during the campaign. She has said the election should be about policy, not personal ties. Her message has focused on housing development, rent control, and stronger oversight of city programs. Bass, on the other hand, has highlighted her record in office. She previously defeated billionaire developer Rick Caruso in the 2022 election. She also made history as the first woman to become mayor of Los Angeles. Her time in office has faced criticism, especially after the 2025 wildfires that hit parts of the city. The fires caused major damage in areas like Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Bass was abroad during the early response, which led to public backlash. Since then, Bass has worked to rebuild public trust. She has promoted programs aimed at reducing homelessness and improving emergency response. Her supporters say she has brought stability during a difficult time. Raman has criticized some of these programs. She argues that city spending needs stronger tracking and better results. She also supports reforms that increase transparency and accountability. The upcoming runoff is expected to be highly competitive. Both candidates will now try to win over undecided voters in a city facing deep social and economic challenges.