Poll Shows Bass's Narrow Lead, High Unfavorability in LA Primary

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass holds a narrow lead in the race for her party's nomination ahead of the June 2 primary, but a recent survey of likely voters reveals deep dissatisfaction with her leadership, with 56 percent viewing her unfavorably compared to 31 percent favorably.

The poll, conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, showed Bass with 25 percent support among likely voters, followed by City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 17 percent and media personality Spencer Pratt at 14 percent. Community organizer Rae Huang garnered 8 percent, while tech entrepreneur Adam Miller received 6 percent. About 25 percent of respondents remained undecided, highlighting the race's volatility less than three months from the primary.

Bass's challenges stem largely from her handling of the Palisades wildfire, which broke out on January 7, 2025, while she was on a diplomatic trip to Ghana. The blaze killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes, prompting criticism over the city's emergency response and the pace of recovery efforts. Questions have persisted about preparedness, including reports of an internal review being altered. Pratt, whose home was among those lost...