With the Los Angeles mayoral primary entering its final stretch, a voting bloc that could prove decisive in an unusually tight race is drawing renewed attention: the region’s large Jewish community.
While issues such as homelessness, affordability and recovery from last year’s devastating wildfires have dominated much of the campaign, recent comments and outreach efforts by candidates have put Israel and antisemitism back into the spotlight as they compete for every available vote.
The race has evolved into a three-way contest between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, City Councilmember Nithya Raman and Republican candidate Spencer Pratt, a former reality television personality.
Recent polling by the Los Angeles Times found Bass at 26%, Raman at 25% and Pratt at 22%, placing all three within striking distance of one another.
Recent polling by the Los Angeles Times found Bass at 26%, Raman at 25% and Pratt at 22%, placing all three within striking distance of one another. AP Photo/Jill Connelly
Supporters rally as a press conference is underway with the Jewish Federation Los Angeles in response to the violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood Sunday where fist fights broke out during dueling protests over fighting in the Middle East at the Museum of Tolerance on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Supporter listen to Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt during a block party campaign event Sunday. AP Photo/Jill Connelly
The Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to approximately 560,000 Jews, making it one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States.
Although that figure includes residents beyond the city limits, political observers say Jewish voters could play an outsized role in determining which two candidates advance to the general election.
“Bass has had a long relationship with the Jewish community in LA, but not a particularly strong one. Raman has been the subject of significant controversy,” Dan Schnur, political analyst, told Jewish Insider.
“Pratt voices a very pro-Israel MAGA type line, and he’s probably doing better among Jewish voters than [President Donald] Trump did, but not by a large margin.”
Pratt has made direct appeals to Jewish voters a central part of his campaign messaging.
During an interview with CNBC anchor Sara Eisen ahead of the primary, he highlighted concerns about antisemitism in the city.
“I made it very clear that I’m going to protect my Jewish friends and families that feel unsafe from these attacks, and I didn’t even realize how insane it was until I said that publicly, and the level of Nazi, crazy psychopaths that are threatening me, saying I’m owned by Jewish — no, I want Jewish moms to feel safe when their kids go to temple or they go to class at UCLA, the same I want a Muslim student to feel safe going to worship. Everyone needs to feel safe in Los Angeles,” Pratt said.
Pratt’s candidacy has attracted support from several prominent Democrats, including media executive Haim Saban and Ashley Underwood, wife of comedian Larry David, who hosted a fundraiser on his behalf.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt speaks to the crowd during a campaign event Sunday. AP Photo/Jill Connelly
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt is shown around the neighborhood by homeowner Maggie Quiroz during a campaign event Sunday. AP Photo/Jill Connelly
With the race effectively deadlocked, even modest shifts among Jewish voters could help determine who emerges from one of the most competitive mayoral primaries Los Angeles has seen in years. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Raman has faced scrutiny from some Jewish community leaders following an interview with political streamer Hasan Piker. During the discussion, she reiterated her belief that Israel has a right to exist while also accusing the country of committing genocide. Raman additionally said she would no longer seek the endorsement of Democrats for Israel Los Angeles, a group that backed her during her first city council campaign.
“Being mayor, my role is not one that has foreign policy power. It’s really one that is about Angelenos, and making sure that Angelenos are safe here, that we’re pushing back against antisemitism and Islamophobia, both of which have increased in the wake of what’s happening,” Raman said.
Bass, by contrast, has positioned herself as the experienced incumbent. She has condemned Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, spoken out against antisemitism and worked with Jewish community leaders and law enforcement officials following a series of high-profile antisemitic incidents.
Schnur said Bass remains the familiar choice for many Jewish voters, while Raman and Pratt represent competing anti-establishment alternatives.
“For most rational observers it’s a choice between a pro-BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement], hostile-to-Israel candidate and a totally irrational Trumper vs. the incumbent who in reality has done a credible job. I am supporting Bass unequivocally,” Howard Welinsky said.
With the race effectively deadlocked, even modest shifts among Jewish voters could help determine who emerges from one of the most competitive mayoral primaries Los Angeles has seen in years.
