Overview
- Pratt finished third in the June 2 mayoral primary after mail‑in ballots were counted and Nithya Raman overtook him for the second runoff spot behind Mayor Karen Bass.
- On Friday, June 12, Pratt posted a three‑minute video that began as a concession but quickly pivoted into an aggressive pledge to continue fighting Bass and Raman outside of the ballot box.
- In the video Pratt said he possesses recordings he claims could force one of the remaining candidates to resign and suggested federal law enforcement action could follow; those claims have been reported by Pratt but are unverified by independent sources.
- Pratt’s late, celebrity‑amplified surge relied on viral ads, national attention and fundraising, and it was erased by Los Angeles’ mail‑in ballot count process that allows ballots to be tallied after election night.
- Pratt’s decision to stay active raises the prospect of a more polarized November campaign, continued national attention and new pressure on Bass and Raman as they compete in the general election.