According to election results released over several days by Los Angeles County officials, Raman moved into second place behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after initially trailing Pratt on election night. The shift reflects a broader trend in California’s extended ballot-counting process, which often continues for days after voting concludes.

Bass remains in the lead, while Raman now holds a slim advantage over Pratt as officials continue tabulating thousands of outstanding ballots. The Associated Press estimates that fewer than 150,000 ballots remain uncounted.

Late-Arriving Ballots Reshape the Contest

California’s election system allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive at election offices within seven days. Because every registered voter receives a mail ballot, election officials often spend days processing and verifying votes after polls close.

Los Angeles County typically counts mail ballots in the order they are received. Initial results released on election night included ballots that had been returned early and processed before voting ended, along with votes cast in person on Election Day.

Subsequent updates have incorporated later-arriving mail ballots, which have altered the standings in several races. Election data indicates that many Democratic voters submitted their ballots closer to Election Day, a factor that appears to have benefited both Bass and Raman as additional votes were counted.

Although Los Angeles mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan, Bass and Raman are Democrats, while Pratt is a Republican.

Raman Erases Election-Night Deficit

When initial results were released Tuesday evening, Bass led Pratt by roughly 4.4 percentage points. Pratt, meanwhile, held an advantage of more than eight points over Raman.

As additional ballots have been processed, Bass expanded her lead over Pratt to nearly eight percentage points. Raman steadily gained ground and has now moved ahead of Pratt by approximately 0.4 percentage points, a margin of about 3,100 votes.

The outcome remains uncertain as election officials continue processing outstanding ballots.

Slow Count Draws Political Criticism

California’s lengthy vote-counting process has drawn criticism from some Republican figures, who have alleged irregularities without presenting evidence.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. Department of Justice would investigate the ongoing ballot count. Trump suggested Democrats in California were benefiting from the extended process in ways that could affect several high-profile races.

The president also referenced the state’s gubernatorial contest, where Democrat Xavier Becerra has already secured a place in the general election. The Associated Press has not yet projected the second qualifying candidate. Republican Steve Hilton continues to hold a lead over Democrat Tom Steyer for the remaining runoff position, although that margin has narrowed since election night.

Different Paths for Challengers

Regardless of who advances, the November election is expected to focus heavily on Bass’ leadership and the direction of city government.

Pratt has campaigned as a conservative alternative in a city dominated by Democratic leadership. His platform has emphasized efforts to reduce homelessness and criticism of the city’s response to the January 2025 wildfire in the Pacific Palisades area, where his home was among thousands destroyed.

His campaign has attracted significant public attention due to his celebrity background, though it remains unclear whether that visibility will translate into enough votes to secure a runoff berth.

Raman, by contrast, has positioned herself as a progressive challenger. Her campaign has focused on accelerating housing development, supporting the entertainment industry’s recovery, and improving public services across Los Angeles.

Her entry into the race drew attention because she had previously endorsed Bass for reelection before launching her own campaign. Raman was first elected to the City Council with support from the Democratic Socialists of America, although the organization did not formally endorse a candidate in the mayoral contest.

With thousands of ballots still awaiting review, election officials have not yet determined who will face Bass in the general election, leaving the contest one of California’s most closely watched local races.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed frustration with the Democratic Party during an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which aired Tuesday. Adams stated that the party had “left” him and the working class behind, a sentiment he shared while discussing his political and legal struggles.

“The Party Left Me”

Adams responded to criticism that he no longer sounded like a Democrat, saying, “People often say, ‘You don’t sound like a Democrat. You seem to have left the party.’ No, the party left me, and it left working-class people.” He explained that his position had become increasingly disconnected from the Democratic Party, particularly as he spoke out against the surge of illegal immigration in New York City.

Throughout the interview, Adams tied his legal troubles—specifically, his September 2024 indictment on bribery and corruption charges—to his outspoken stance on the city’s migrant crisis. He argued that those who challenge the “norm” within the party, especially on issues like immigration, are often “demonized.”

Indictment Details

Adams faces charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources. The charges include receiving improper benefits, such as luxury international travel, from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to influence the mayor’s decisions.

Adams suggested that some individuals in the Justice Department, under the Biden administration, may have viewed him as “not a good Democrat” because of his criticism of the city’s immigration policies. According to the mayor, these policies have cost the city a staggering $6.5 billion in expenses for housing, food, and clothing for migrants.

Tensions with Biden’s Administration

During the interview, Adams shared his frustrations with President Joe Biden’s administration. He claimed that when he raised concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants in New York City, Biden’s team essentially urged him to “be a good Democrat” and downplayed the issue. One of Biden’s aides even told Adams, “This is like a gallstone, it’ll pass. It’ll hurt now, but it’ll pass.”

Adams’s remarks come amid the continued strain on the city’s resources due to the migrant surge and the escalating costs that have overwhelmed local services.

Meeting with Trump and Criticism of Public Appearances

The mayor’s relationship with the Biden administration has been further complicated by his recent actions, including a controversial meeting with former President Donald Trump in Florida. The meeting, which occurred just days before Trump’s second inauguration, was described by Adams as a “productive conversation” about New York City’s needs. Some speculated that the mayor was seeking a pardon from Trump regarding his corruption charges, something Trump has indicated he might consider.

Adams’s decision to skip Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in New York to attend Trump’s inauguration drew backlash from some local political figures. Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie criticized the mayor, saying that New Yorkers “deserve a Mayor who puts our city’s wellbeing above his own exoneration.” New York City Comptroller Brad Lander also took to social media, urging Adams to focus on issues like public safety and cost of living, instead of his legal troubles.

In defense of his actions, Adams described attending the inauguration as participating in a “sacred American tradition.” He added that, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated, “we must put partisan politics aside to do what’s best for our country.”

Looking Ahead: Reelection and Legal Trial

Adams, who is seeking reelection in June, faces an ongoing legal battle. His trial is set to begin in April, and it remains to be seen how his legal troubles will impact his political future.

Despite the turmoil, Adams has emphasized the importance of collaborating with the Trump administration to further the city’s interests and fight for the people of New York.

Source

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