Hollywood money swirls in Los Angeles mayoral race as players rally behind candidates

With Los Angeles still split on the next mayor, Misryoum reports major industry backers are aligning with Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman.

A month or less before Los Angeles voters head to the polls, the mayoral race is being fueled as much by Hollywood influence as by campaign proposals.

Misryoum reports that many voters remain undecided, even as candidates intensify their outreach to the entertainment industry’s networks and donors.. Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman have both highlighted ideas tied to bringing film production back to Los Angeles, while Spencer Pratt leans on the visibility and relationships built during his time on reality television.

A UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs poll cited by Misryoum suggests volatility at the top: 40% of likely voters are undecided just two months before the primary, with Bass leading at 25%, Pratt at 11% and Raman at 9%.. With 14 candidates in the field, none is positioned to take an outright majority, meaning attention is likely to stay fixed on who can persuade the undecided block.

In this context, high-profile endorsements and donations are more than symbolism. They can also shape how campaigns frame their priorities, especially around an issue closely tied to the city’s identity: the entertainment industry itself.

Misryoum’s reporting also points to a stream of notable industry names backing different candidates.. Bass, the incumbent, has drawn support from wealthy and influential figures, including film and TV producer JJ Abrams, philanthropist Edythe Broad, Lionsgate Entertainment CEO Jon Feltheimer, and actors Samuel L.. Jackson and La Toya Jackson.

Additional Bass backers named by Misryoum include David Miner, executive producer of major comedy series, designer Gelila Puck, and Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks, among others. The list underscores how the race is pulling in figures with broad cultural reach as well as business stakes.

Meanwhile, Spencer Pratt’s campaign reflects his own entertainment footprint, with supporters connected to reality television and show business, according to Misryoum. Named backers include Jeanie Buss, Jeff Jenkins, Katharine McPhee, and Rick Salomon.

Misryoum reports that Raman, who previously aligned with Bass but later launched her own bid, has attracted endorsements from within Hollywood circles as well. The supporters cited include Jon Favreau, Chris Lloyd, Mindy Kaling, Michael Schur, Paul Scheer, and actor Adam Scott, among others.

This matters because Los Angeles is at a moment where the next mayor will have to balance headline responsibilities with everyday pressures. Homelessness, a film industry facing rising costs, and the long timeline around major global events are all likely to remain part of the political debate.

At the same time, each campaign is dealing with its own headwinds, Misryoum notes.. Bass is navigating lingering fallout from recent fire-related controversy, Raman’s bid is drawing attention amid ideological shadowboxing, and Pratt is still positioning himself as a newcomer with limited political experience.. The question now is whether the industry-aligned momentum can convert uncertainty into votes before the primary.

For more political updates and campaign developments, Misryoum will continue to track how donors, endorsements, and policy messaging evolve as election day approaches.