There was a celebratory atmosphere at the LINE LA Hotel in Koreatown, where hundreds of enthusiastic voters gathered for the LA County Democratic Party’s primary election watch party for Mayor Karen Bass, who is, at press time, leading the mayoral race as votes continue to be counted.
Bass has secured a spot in the November run-off, likely against reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, who was in second place, behind by than five points.
“We’ve got a long [way] to go, but so far it’s looking good!” said a boisterous Bass, amid cheers, as she stood at the podium surrounded by her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In addition to everyday voters and campaign volunteers, there were labor leaders, elected officials and other notable guests at the watch party – co-hosted by SEIU (Service Employees International Union) 721 – including actresses Kym Whitley and Yvette Nicole Brown; LA City Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Imelda Padilla; and Yvonne Wheeler, president of the LA County Federation of Labor, and Mark Ramos, chair of the LA County Democratic Party and president of UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers International Union) Local 1428.
Ramos riled up the crowd, encouraging them to continue supporting Bass for a second term.
“Working people are hurting and that is why we need a good, strong mayor … but guess what? Whatever happens tonight, there’s more work to do tomorrow,” said Ramos, who led a loud group chant. “When we vote – we win! When we vote, Karen Bass wins. Let’s do this thing!”
Youth for Bass
Two members of Youth for Bass spoke with the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol about why they’re actively campaigning for Bass – from phone banking during the weeks leading up to the official election day to volunteering at the watch party. Nolan Calara, who attends the University of Southern California (USC), and Adler Dillman from Tarzana, a student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) said they feel positive about a potential Bass-Pratt match-up in the general election this fall.
“Personally, I am super excited about the result. I’m not a big fan of Spencer Pratt and the way he’s been campaigning. I think it’s really divisive [and] not what LA needs right now,” said Dillman. “I’m ready for Karen Bass to destroy him in the general run-off [in November]. … The energy in LA is great. [We] love Karen Bass. We’re getting behind her. She’s a proven fighter. …
“Nobody wants a guy with no experience,” he said about Pratt.
Calara, who performed early in the evening, singing the “What a Wonderful World” rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” echoed Adler’s support for Bass and her chances of beating Pratt.
“Honestly, I’m more relieved that it [will be] Pratt versus Bass, because Bass has shown time and time again that she’s a strong leader,” said Calara, who was born and raised in the Bay Area, but moved to LA to attend USC, and because “I love the city [and] the people who are in charge of the city – like Mayor Karen Bass and her team – and that’s why I’m here supporting her.
“I have no concerns about Pratt,” he continued, “because I know that Bass is going to do a great job leading up to November.”
Adler, who turned 18 in 2024, said this was his first opportunity to vote for Bass. Concerning widespread criticisms about Bass’ leadership, especially regarding homelessness and the LA wildfires, Adler said he feels Bass has done a good job responding to those extreme challenges.
“Regarding homelessness, I think the numbers speak for themselves. It’s undeniable that she’s helped reduce homelessness,” he said, referring to the results of the last two Greater LA Homeless Counts, which showed declines in homelessness in both the city of LA and LA County for two consecutive years. The most recent count indicated a 3.4% decrease citywide compared to the previous year.
“As for fires … I don’t think anyone would have handled that situation better, given the conditions – the over 100-mile-per-hour winds,” said Adler. “People get frustrated, and I understand that, but she’s done a wonderful job of doing what she can over what she has control over. I can only imagine what Spencer Pratt would have done if he had to face the wildfires.”
“Exactly,” added Calara. He said the response to the catastrophic wildfires required coordinated responses by leaders and agencies across multiple regions, not solely the city of LA and Bass.
“Hopefully, we can overcome whatever challenges come our way with Mayor Bass’ leadership,” he said.
Former Caruso Voters Now Support Bass
Lisa and Allan Sarkin, a husband and wife from Studio City, voted for Bass for the first time in this week’s primary. In 2022, they supported real estate developer Rick Caruso for mayor.
Despite their initial misgivings about Bass serving as LA mayor, Lisa Sarkin said she believes Bass has been on the right track as far as tackling various issues, such as the homelessness crisis.
“My feeling is that she came into [office] at a difficult time, and different things have happened [like the LA wildfires]. It’s very hard to get things going in only four years,” she said, noting that it takes time to bring about significant change, especially for issues that had been brewing for decades, like the unhoused population. She said a single four-year term isn’t long enough.
“That’s why I voted for her. I don’t [want] anybody else [taking over], especially because I think she is finally getting things happening in the right direction,” said Lisa Sarkin. “I think Mayor Bass has her heart in it, and it’s kind of nice finally having a woman who was elected mayor.”
Allan Sarkin said he hopes Spencer Pratt will be the candidate challenging Bass this fall, because he feels confident that the majority of LA voters will choose a Democrat over a Republican.
“Hopefully it will be him,” he said, noting that he expects votes for City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who was in third place at press time, and other candidates “will go to Mayor Bass.”