New Poll Reveals Deep Voter Uncertainty in Los Angeles Mayoral Race: Bass at 20%, Pratt Surprises at 10%, Over Half Undecided

LOS ANGELES – A fresh poll of 1,000 registered Los Angeles voters, released this week by Emerson College Polling in partnership with Inside California Politics, paints a picture of widespread indecision ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary election for mayor. Conducted March 7–9, the survey found that a commanding 50.9% of respondents remain undecided about who should lead the city for the next four years, signaling that the race is wide open with months still to go before voters head to the polls.

Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, seeking a second term, leads the crowded field with approximately 19.5–20% support, according to the results. The Democratic mayor's showing comes amid mixed reviews of her tenure, with separate polling in the survey indicating only about 24–25% approval of her job performance and 47% disapproval-reflecting ongoing frustrations over issues like homelessness, public safety, disaster response, and recovery from recent wildfires. Bass has emphasized her administration's efforts on housing, infrastructure, and event planning for the 2028 Olympics, but the low early support highlights challenges in rallying the base.

Trailing Bass is reality television star Spencer Pratt, who announced his independent candidacy earlier this year following the loss of his home in the 2025 Palisades Fire and has positioned himself as a critic of city leadership on disaster preparedness and other issues. Pratt captured about 10.2% in the poll, edging out City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 9.3%. Other candidates, including tech entrepreneur Adam Miller (4.2%) and housing advocate Rae Huang (2.9%), trailed further back, with the remaining support scattered among a field of more than 40 declared or potential contenders. The nonpartisan primary requires a candidate to secure over 50% for an outright win; otherwise, the top two advance to a November 3 runoff.

The high undecided figure-over half the electorate-underscores voter fatigue and a lack of strong frontrunners in a race that has drawn national attention due to Pratt's celebrity profile and Bass's incumbency. Analysts note that name recognition plays a role in early polling, but the field remains fluid as campaigns ramp up outreach, fundraising, and debates. With the June primary approaching, the poll suggests plenty of room for shifts as voters learn more about the candidates' platforms on key Westside and citywide concerns like coastal resilience, traffic, housing affordability, and public services. Stay tuned to the Santa Monica Observer for continuing coverage of the 2026 LA mayoral contest.