Deep Voter Uncertainty in LA Mayoral Race: Bass at 20%, Pratt Surprises at 10%, Over Half Undecided

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A new poll of 1,000 registered Los Angeles voters conducted by Emerson College Polling and Inside California Politics found widespread indecision in the 2026 LA mayoral race, with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass leading at 20% support, reality TV star Spencer Pratt surprising at 10%, and over half of voters (50.9%) still undecided.

Why it matters

The high undecided figure and lack of a clear frontrunner highlights voter fatigue and uncertainty in a race that has drawn national attention due to Pratt's celebrity profile and Bass's incumbency. With the June primary approaching, the poll suggests there is still plenty of room for shifts as voters learn more about the candidates' platforms on key issues like housing, public safety, disaster response, and infrastructure.

The details

Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, seeking a second term, leads the crowded field with 19.5-20% support, though her job approval rating is only around 24-25% with 47% disapproval. Trailing Bass is reality TV star Spencer Pratt at 10.2%, who announced an independent candidacy after losing his home in the 2025 Palisades Fire. City Councilmember Nithya Raman follows at 9.3%, while other candidates like tech entrepreneur Adam Miller (4.2%) and housing advocate Rae Huang (2.9%) trail further behind in the field of over 40 declared or potential contenders.

• The poll was conducted March 7-9, 2026.
• The Los Angeles mayoral primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
• The top two finishers in the nonpartisan primary will advance to a runoff on November 3, 2026.

What’s next

With the June primary approaching, the poll suggests plenty of room for shifts as voters learn more about the candidates' platforms on key Westside and citywide concerns like coastal resilience, traffic, housing affordability, and public services.