L.A. mayoral candidates vie for the crucial Latino vote. Bass has an edge over Pratt and Raman

"Latinos make up nearly 37% of the L.A. electorate, making their votes crucial for anyone with mayoral ambitions. That has campaigns putting out ads and social media posts in Spanish, hitting the ground in Latino majority neighborhoods and rallying for key endorsements. "Whoever wins the Latino vote will win the election," Loyola Marymount University political science professor Fernando Guerra said."

"The reason quickly becomes clear, as Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman arrives for a hora feliz con Nithya, sipping a Tajin-rimmed drink and making the rounds to pitch her campaign for mayor. Albert Orozco, 24, said he appreciated her efforts to reach Latino voters, including an ad in which Raman speaks Spanish. "We need a mayor who can communicate directly with the Spanish-speaking community," Orozco said."

"A poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by The Times, found that Bass led with 29% Latino voter support; former TV reality star Spencer Pratt followed at 16%, community organizer Rae Huang at 14% and Raman at 9%. Tech entrepreneur Adam Miller received 3% support. In April, a UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs poll also found Bass with a wide lead."

""I think she has an opportunity to solidify the Latino vote with a strong primary performance," said Matt Barreto, a professor of political science and Chicana/o studies at UCLA. "This is hers for the taking." But there's plenty of room to grow - for any candidate: Both polls found a large share of"

A Friday night crowd at a Boyle Heights bar notices more unfamiliar faces as City Councilmember Nithya Raman arrives to campaign for mayor. Regulars and attendees respond to her outreach to Latino voters, including Spanish-language communication. Latinos comprise nearly 37% of the Los Angeles electorate, so campaigns emphasize Spanish ads, social media, and organizing in Latino-majority neighborhoods, along with endorsements. Political analysts say the candidate who wins Latino voters is likely to win the election. Polling shows incumbent Mayor Karen Bass leading Latino support, with Raman trailing, though analysts believe there is room for growth through strong primary performance.

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