California’s revolt: Spencer Pratt, Steve Hilton stun Democrats in early result shake-up

California Post ^ | 6/03/26 | Josh Koehn

[Libloather]

California voters frustrated by the routine failures of state and local leadership look set to send Spencer Pratt and Steve Hilton to runoff elections for mayor and governor after the first few ballot drops.

In a major rebuke of Democratic rule in both Los Angeles and the state, both Pratt and Hilton held their positions steady Wednesday night. Hilton remained in the lead for the governor’s race with 27.6% of the vote and Xavier Becerra was in second place with 25.6% with 56% of the ballots counted.

Pratt remained in second place with 29.91% of the vote behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass at 34.97%. Nithya Raman trailed Pratt in third place with 22.81%.

Pratt, who rose to fame as the bad boy in MTV’s show “The Hills,” is nipping at the heels of Bass — all but assuring the two will meet again in November’s general election. Pratt trailed Bass by fewer than 27,000 votes with 63% of the ballots counted, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder.

Matthew Klink, a conservative political strategist in Los Angeles, told The Post that Pratt has a real chance if his “clever” campaign — fueled by inventive AI videos and street art exposing the city’s blight and corruption — continues to pour it on thick and avoid the status quo of policy papers and canned statements.

Pratt’s persistent banging of the drum on public safety issues and the lackluster response to the deadly LA wildfires made a mark.

“More than 60% of city of Los Angeles voters chose another candidate than the mayor,” Klink said, noting lefty Councilmember Nithya Raman’s ability to also siphon votes while currently sitting in third place.

“Clearly, Bass is vulnerable.”

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TOPICS: History; Local News; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: california; democrats; election; highspeedrail; hilton; mayor; pratt; surrendermonkeybait

[joshua c]

her sole reason for entering the race

to run interference for bass

[Sarah Barracuda]

and Bass will reward her with the mayors office

[frank ballenger]

RE: Always pictured Germond at the track, nose in the racing form, cigar in his mouth, a flask in his pocket.

Great moment involving Jack Germond. In discussing state of the union speeches, he said they don’t really matter. “It’s like urinating in your dark blue pants. You feel warm but nobody else knows or cares.”
Panelist: “Jack, are you speaking from personal experience?”