The Impact of Pratt Voters in the L.A. Mayoral Race

Spencer Pratt, a Republican candidate, fell short in the June election, failing to secure enough votes for a runoff against Mayor Karen Bass. Nevertheless, his significant support in Pacific Palisades and other conservative neighborhoods leaves nearly 218,000 voters crucial in determining Los Angeles’ next mayor, according to Noah Goldberg. Both Bass and Nithya Raman face the challenge of attracting Pratt’s supporters without alienating their liberal base as the November 3 election approaches.

Pratt has expressed disdain for both Bass and Raman. After a debate, he initially praised Bass as a skilled politician, then swiftly criticized her, referring to her as an ‘evil witch.’ Similarly, he denounced Raman as the worst possible choice for mayor. Despite these comments, Pratt hasn’t endorsed any candidate, with political consultant Matt Klink suggesting such endorsements would lead to backlash from his supporters.

In districts where Pratt performed strongly, like Pacific Palisades, voters face a dilemma, comparing their options to choosing the lesser of two evils. Pratt received 51% of the vote there, which would have been sufficient to win if not for his lackluster performance citywide.

Conversations with Palisades voters reveal varied intentions. While some consider abstaining, others reluctantly plan to vote. Joanna Curtis, a lifelong resident, emphasizes their dissatisfaction, with a recall possibility looming over the upcoming mayoral term.

Mayor Bass’s Strategy

Bass seeks to win Pratt’s supporters by leveraging external spending groups and conservative-leaning campaign allies. She trusts the Police Protective League, the LAPD’s union, to appeal to moderate and conservative voters. This group plans to invest heavily in ads targeting Raman, highlighting her involvement with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which advocates for defunding police and prison abolition.

Tom Saggau, the union’s spokesperson, states that awareness of Raman’s record and DSA affiliation will deter Pratt voters.

Raman’s Approach

Raman’s campaign faces challenges in connecting with Pratt’s conservative base due to limited surrogates. Positioning herself as an anti-establishment candidate, she aims to capitalize on Bass’s negative perception among Pratt voters. Her campaign, despite DSA connections, focuses on non-ideological promises to make L.A. ‘A City That Works.’ Raman actively engages with Palisades voters concerned over last year’s fire.

Political analyst Fernando Guerra predicts a divided Pratt voter block, estimating one candidate could capture approximately 70% of their support, with the other securing the remaining 30%. However, many Pratt voters might opt out of the election entirely.

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