Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt has publicly questioned the ongoing vote tabulation in the Los Angeles mayoral primary, despite official results indicating his third-place finish. Pratt, aged 42, posted a concise five-word message on X, stating, 'Are they done counting yet?', following a period of social media silence that began with a cryptic image of a lone duck on water.
The Associated Press officially called the primary race on Monday, positioning Pratt in third place. While votes are technically still being counted in California, with further data expected, the current tallies are not anticipated to significantly alter the outcome. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is leading the race, and will proceed to a November run-off election against progressive city council member Nithya Raman.
The latest data from Tuesday showed Pratt with 216,783 votes, representing 25.52 per cent of the counted ballots. He had initially held an advantage over Raman in the contest for second place, both trailing Mayor Bass. However, as the counting progressed, Raman steadily closed the gap, now securing 28.5 per cent of the vote compared to Pratt's 25 per cent, according to the Associated Press figures.
Pratt’s entry into the Los Angeles mayoral race in January followed devastating wildfires in 2025 that destroyed his home. He announced his candidacy at a 'They Let Us Burn' rally, centring his campaign on criticism of Mayor Bass's handling of the fires. His campaign attracted national attention and reportedly garnered support from figures such as Donald Trump, though claims of celebrity endorsements from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx remain unconfirmed by their representatives.
The cryptic duck image shared by Pratt on Tuesday had prompted various interpretations from his followers, with some suggesting it symbolised calmness on the surface while working intensely behind the scenes, or perhaps a 'lame duck' status. The outcome means that the contest for Los Angeles's next mayor will be decided between Bass and Raman later this year.