Reality television personality Spencer Pratt appears headed to a November runoff in Los Angeles' mayoral race, positioning himself for a direct challenge against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after a surprising showing in Tuesday’s primary election.

Bass, who has served as mayor since 2022, advanced to the runoff but failed to secure the majority of votes needed to avoid a head-to-head contest later this year. Under Los Angeles election rules, because no candidate surpassed the 50 percent threshold, the top two finishers will move on to the November runoff.

Pratt’s advancement represents one of the biggest storylines to emerge from the election and signals growing dissatisfaction among some voters with the city’s current leadership. The runoff itself is being viewed as a symbolic setback for Bass, who entered the race with the advantages of incumbency and support from some of California’s most prominent Democratic figures.

Among those backing Bass were Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite those endorsements and decades of experience in elected office, Bass was unable to secure an outright victory in the primary.

Her administration has faced scrutiny during a turbulent period for Los Angeles, including criticism surrounding the city's response to devastating wildfires and other ongoing challenges confronting residents.

For Pratt, the result marks a remarkable political achievement. Known primarily for his career in reality television, he has transformed what many initially viewed as an unconventional campaign into a serious bid for city leadership.

The runoff now sets up a clear contrast between an established political figure and a political outsider seeking to capitalize on voter frustration. While many observers may have dismissed Pratt’s candidacy early on, the election results suggest that a significant portion of voters were willing to give him a closer look.

As the race shifts toward November, both campaigns will have months to make their case to voters. One thing is already clear: what was once considered a long-shot candidacy has become one of the most unexpected political stories in California, and Los Angeles voters will now decide whether they want continuity - AKA chaos-  or a dramatic change in direction, -AKA a chance to save Los Angeles.