Spencer Pratt is now Karen Bass\u2019 biggest headache.<\/p>\n
A bombshell California Post poll conducted with McLaughlin & Associates shows the reality TV star-turned-mayoral candidate <\/a>has surged to a statistical tie with the incumbent mayor. <\/p>\n And voters blame homelessness, affordability and the direction of Los Angeles <\/a>as the reason for turning on Bass. <\/p>\n Pratt now leads the field with 30.1% support, compared with 29.5% for Bass, setting up a razor-thin race heading into next week\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n Socialist councilwoman Nithya Raman<\/a> sits in third place at 23.4%.<\/p>\n Spencer Pratt had every reason to smile on \u201cFox & Friends\u201d on Thursday Getty Images<\/p>\n Mayor Karen Bass speaks at the Connect Los Angeles Conference on Thursday AP Photo\/William Liang<\/p>\n With a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points, the race remains statistically tight.<\/p>\n One of the more notable findings is Pratt\u2019s strength among Hispanic voters, where he leads the field with 33% support, compared to 24% for Bass and 21% for Raman.<\/p>\n But beneath the numbers lies a much bigger warning sign for City Hall.<\/p>\n Voters appear deeply dissatisfied not only with the direction of Los Angeles but also with nearly every major candidate seeking to lead it.<\/p>\n John McLaughlin, CEO of McLaughlin & Associates, said the race is shaping up to be far more competitive than many expected.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the mayor\u2019s race is a lot more volatile,\u201d McLaughlin told The California Post. \u201cNormally it\u2019s a slam dunk for the Democrats, but it\u2019s being driven by the negatives on Bass.\u201d<\/p>\n The poll found 62% of likely voters believe the city is on the wrong track.\u00a0<\/p>\n Spencer Pratt on \u201cFox & Friends\u201d on Thursday Getty Images<\/p>\n The numbers are particularly brutal for Bass: only 32 percent approve of her job performance, while a staggering 66% disapprove, including 41% who strongly disapprove.<\/p>\n Her personal favorability ratings are just as bad. Just 32% view Bass favorably, while 65% hold an unfavorable opinion.<\/p>\n McLaughlin said those numbers are creating significant political challenges for the mayor.<\/p>\n \u201cKaren Bass has a huge disapproval, and she has a significant unfavorable rating,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Yet despite those bruising numbers, Bass remains tied for first place.<\/p>\n This suggests voters may be unhappy with current leadership, but still uncertain about the alternatives.<\/p>\n Homeless junkies in MacArthur Park Ringo Chiu<\/p>\n Pratt\u2019s numbers tell a similar story.<\/p>\n The former reality television star has electrified the race with his groundbreaking social-media-focused campaign.<\/p>\n Pratt\u2019s support continues to surge among voters looking for a dramatic break from traditional Los Angeles politics.<\/p>\n Raman, meanwhile, posts stronger personal numbers than either Bass or Pratt but still finds herself underwater overall.<\/p>\n The poll found 40% view the councilwoman favorably while 42% view her unfavorably.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> Her support remains concentrated among progressive voters, but she trails both Bass and Pratt in the overall ballot test.<\/p>\n McLaughlin noted that Bass and Raman are competing for many of the same Democratic voters.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a Democrat primary within the primary, and Raman\u2019s competing with her and has more of an upside among those voters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The survey also sheds light on what is driving voters to the polls.<\/p>\n Homelessness and mental illness ranked as the top issue facing Los Angeles, cited by 26% of respondents.<\/p>\n Housing affordability followed at 18%, while inflation and broader affordability concerns came in at 13%.<\/p>\n Crime, drugs, and public safety ranked fourth at 7%.<\/p>\n The clock is ticking for all three candidates.<\/p>\n
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