Incumbent Karen Bass and Nithya Raman advanced to the Nov. 3 general election after neither received more than 50% of the vote in the June 2 nonpartisan primary for mayor of Los Angeles, California. Bass is the first incumbent to face a runoff since 2005. Of the 14 candidates who ran in the election, Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Raman led in polling and media attention.

The Los Angeles Times' Julia Wick and David Zahniser wrote of Bass' re-election bid: "Bass appeared to be on the path to an easy reelection, with no serious challengers in sight after a relatively drama-free first two years in office. But that was before a wildfire annihilated swaths of Pacific Palisades, putting Bass’ leadership under a national microscope, and before the city slid into a major financial crisis, with Bass searching for cuts to close a nearly $1-billion budget gap."

Bass was elected mayor on Nov. 8, 2022, defeating real estate developer Rick Caruso 54.8%-45.2%. Though the city's mayor is nonpartisan, Bass is a Democrat who ran as a progressive, focusing on homelessness and affordable housing. Bass said she ran for re-election "because the foundation is laid, and now we can build the city we all deserve — a city where our kids no longer dodge tents on their walk to school. Where hardworking people can afford to live. Where restaurants, soundstages, and downtowns are thriving again. Where every neighborhood reflects the dynamism, the culture, and the spirit of Los Angeles."

Pratt starred in the reality television show The Hills and lost his home during the 2025 Palisades wildfire. A registered Republican, he announced his campaign at a rally marking the one-year anniversary of the wildfire. Pratt said, "Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I'm done waiting for someone to take real action. That's why I am running for mayor. But let me be clear, this just isn't a campaign -- this is a mission, and we are going to expose the system. We are going into every dark corner of L.A. politics and disinfecting the city with our light."

Raman represents Los Angeles City Council District 4 and is an urban planner. She is a Democrat and has received support from the Democratic Socialists of America in past elections. Raman said, "I have deep respect for Mayor Bass. We’ve worked closely together on my biggest priorities and her biggest priorities, and there’s significant alignment there. But over the last few months in particular, I’ve really begun to feel like unless we have some big changes in how we do things in Los Angeles, that the things we count on are not going to function anymore."

The Los Angeles Times' Steve Lopez wrote, "Raman is to the left of Bass and the traditional left in Los Angeles. ... Raman’s candidacy — along with DSA candidates for other city offices — makes the election something of a referendum on the evolving center of political clout in L.A." Pratt ran to the right of Bass, focusing on public safety and crime reduction.

Los Angeles' chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America decided not to endorse a candidate for the primary election. Endorsements for Bass included both business and labor organizations and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Donald Trump's (R) presidential envoy for special missions Richard Grenell endorsed Pratt, while Abundant Housing LA and the Future Urbanist Club endorsed Raman. On May 20, Trump said he would "like to see [Pratt] do well." On May 28, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) endorsed Bass.