Pratt and Hilton Face Uncertain Futures Amidst California’s Lengthy Vote Tally
The meticulous process of counting California’s extensive mail-in ballots has introduced a period of intense suspense for Republican figures Spencer Pratt and Steve Hilton, whose electoral fates remain undecided days after Election Day.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race: Pratt in Second, Runoff Spot Unclear
In the contest for Los Angeles mayor, where an estimated 64 percent of votes have been tallied, former reality television personality Spencer Pratt is currently positioned in second place. Pratt, who launched a bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass following a significant home fire last year, faces a critical juncture. While Mayor Bass is assured a spot in the November runoff, the identity of her opponent hinges on the remaining outstanding ballots. On Wednesday and Thursday, progressive LA City Council member Nithya Raman held a narrow lead over Pratt in the count of approximately 60,000 ballots, according to recent analyses.
Mail-in voters in California tend to lean more Democratic, a factor that could potentially impact Pratt’s current seven-point advantage. Despite Pratt being a registered Republican, California’s primary system, known as the jungle primary, does not list candidates by political party on the ballot.
Hilton Leads Gubernatorial Race, But Runoff Remains Tight
Meanwhile, in the race for governor, Steve Hilton maintains a lead, with around 60 percent of the vote counted. The former Fox News personality, originally from London, holds a slight edge over his closest Democratic challenger, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Billionaire Tom Steyer is also a contender in this race.
However, with a substantial number of mail-in ballots still to be processed, the outcome of who will advance to the runoff alongside Hilton is far from settled. California’s significant Democratic electorate, coupled with a tendency for more left-leaning voters to cast their ballots by mail and often later in the election cycle, suggests the gubernatorial race could also be a close contest.
Mail-in ballots are considered valid if they were postmarked by Election Day at 8 p.m. California has a well-documented history of requiring several days to complete the full ballot count.
Presidential Commentary on Mail-In Voting
The ongoing ballot counting process has drawn commentary from former President Donald Trump, who has previously expressed skepticism regarding mail-in voting, citing its role in the 2020 presidential election. Trump has voiced concerns on social media, asserting that the extended counting period in California raises questions about the electoral process.
The President has used the situation in California to advocate for voting reforms, including the proposed Save America Act, which aims to restrict mail-in ballots and mandate voter identification. The bill, however, faces significant opposition in the U.S. Senate.
Candidates and Supporters React to the Extended Count
Hilton has publicly expressed frustration with the slow pace of the ballot tabulation, describing the process as a “global laughing stock” and contrasting it with India’s ability to count a large volume of ballots rapidly. Despite these sentiments, Hilton conveyed confidence in his campaign’s prospects, stating, “We are as confident as ever that we will make the top two.””
Spencer Pratt has responded to the prolonged wait with a post stating, “God always wins.” His wife, Heidi Montag, shared a message of perseverance, writing, “Never give up, never surrender!” though it remains unclear if her statement was specifically directed at the mayoral election.
Montag has not directly endorsed her husband’s campaign on social media, instead posting more general messages and promoting her music. Earlier in the week, she shared a cryptic post about “croissants.”
