Spencer Pratt is gaining significant support in key pockets of Los Angeles, according to a new poll that spells trouble for Mayor Karen Bass as more voters blame City Hall for homelessness, rising costs and the city’s overall direction.
The California Post poll conducted with McLaughlin & Associates released Friday shows a regional breakdown revealing Pratt’s strongest support comes from parts of LA where dissatisfaction with Bass is running highest.
Pratt was at a campaign event in Baldwin Village Saturday where he made important connections with the community.
“Baldwin Village is a beautiful area with great people and tremendous potential, but the thing that stood out to me is how disappointed they all are with Karen Bass. They all feel disillusioned and demoralized with city leadership, and they find a glimmer of hope in seeing somebody running who hates and distrusts politicians as much as they do,” he told The Post.
Pratt urged people to get to the polls if they want a shot at making a change in the city.
“It’s now or never. We have a once-in-lifetime chance to right the ship in LA, but people need to get off the internet and go vote. I don’t want to hear anyone complain about druggies or vagrant fires or potholes if they haven’t voted. There’s no fate but what we make,” he added.
In the San Fernando Valley, where the median household income is about $92,000, Pratt leads with 39%, compared with 36% for Bass and 14% for Raman.
The region includes neighborhoods such as Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sylmar, Northridge and Reseda.
Voters there identified homelessness as their most important issue, while Bass faces a crushing 68% job disapproval rating.
“Bass is in trouble, she has huge negatives” John McLaughlin of McLaughlin & Associates told The Post. Adding he believes it’s possible Raman could knock her off with a good campaigning weekend.
“People are looking for change, that’s what they want, whether that’s a Republican or a Democrat,” he said. “Spencer must get some Democrat support, though, otherwise he won’t win in November,” McLaughlin added.
Pratt also holds a commanding lead on the Westside, where the median household income is $135,383, and in Harbor-area neighborhoods, where the median household income is $79,436, winning 35% support.
Bass and Raman are tied at 23% each.
The area includes Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Palms, Venice, San Pedro, Wilmington and Harbor Gateway.
Homelessness again ranked as the top concern, and Bass’ job disapproval stands at 70%.
Raman performs best in Central LA, where the median household income is $68,064, and East LA, where the median household income is $68,741, where she captures 36% support.
Pratt receives 26% and Bass 20%.
The region includes Koreatown, Hollywood, Downtown LA and Boyle Heights.
Bass’ job disapproval rating reaches 71%, the highest of any region surveyed.
Bass finds her only stronghold in South LA, where the median household income is $57,500, and Mid-City, where the median household income is $56,538, where she leads with 49%.
Raman earns 20% while Pratt receives just 8%.
Neighborhoods in the area include Watts, Mid-Wilshire and Exposition Park.
It is also the only region where Gavin Newsom-endorsed Bass enjoys positive job ratings, with voters approving of her performance by a 56% to 42% margin.
Even there, homelessness remains the top issue.
McLaughlin explained his polling targets voters who have voted in primary elections before and are most likely planning to vote in primaries again.
Overall, the reality TV star-turned-mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt is narrowly leading the race with 30.1% support, edging out Bass at 29.5% and putting the incumbent in a statistical tie heading into next week’s primary election.
Socialist LA City Councilwoman Nithya Raman trails in third at 23.4%.
