With less than 24 hours until Los Angeles' primary election, mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt escalated his campaign by releasing a video showing a homeless man sleeping near a ballot drop box. The post, shared on Sunday, directly targets Democratic rivals Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman, framing the image as a symbol of their failure to address the city's homelessness crisis. Pratt, a reality TV star turned politician, is running as a moderate outsider in the crowded race.
The video injects homelessness—the city's most pressing issue—into the final hours of campaigning. Bass, who currently polls ahead of the field, has made incremental progress on shelter beds and encampment cleanups, but critics argue the pace is too slow. Raman, a progressive councilmember, has faced backlash for supporting policies that prioritize housing over enforcement. Pratt's move pressures both to offer concrete solutions before voters head to the polls Tuesday.
The attack underscores a sharp partisan divide within the primary. Bass, the incumbent Democrat, is backed by the party establishment and organized labor. Raman represents the progressive wing, while Pratt appeals to independents and disaffected conservatives. With no Republican in the top tier, the primary fight is a test of how much voters blame Bass and Raman for the city's visible homelessness.
Public opinion polls show homelessness as the top concern for Angelenos, with a majority believing the situation has worsened under current leadership. Pratt's video could galvanize turnout among voters frustrated with the status quo. Analysts suggest the final hours could shift undecided voters, though Bass's built-in advantages—name recognition and fundraising—may prove decisive.
The tactic carries risks: some voters may view the video as exploitative. Pratt's campaign has not released data on how many people it reached, and homelessness remains a complex issue without quick fixes. Whether the stunt reshapes the race or backfires remains to be seen.