NBA legend Magic Johnson publicly endorsed LA Mayor Karen Bass for reelection, splitting from Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, who supports rival Spencer Pratt. The Los Angeles mayoral race just got louder. With less than two weeks until the June 2 primary, Magic Johnson’s endorsement of Mayor Karen Bass is still driving the conversation in Los Angeles.
The endorsement surprised many because Johnson’s former Lakers boss, Jeanie Buss, is backing rival candidate Spencer Pratt. This race is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about local elections in the country.
Friendship fuels endorsement
Magic Johnson has known Karen Bass for over three decades. He cited that long personal bond as a key reason for stepping forward publicly to support her campaign. Johnson framed the endorsement around their long friendship and Bass’s record.
Johnson did not stop at friendship. He also pointed to Bass’s record on homelessness and crime as evidence that she deserves a second term. His endorsement video, shared directly on Bass’s social media account, showed a man fully committed to championing her cause before the June 2 primary.
Karen Bass’s historic rise in LA politics
Karen Bass made history when she was sworn in as Los Angeles mayor on December 12, 2022. She became the first woman and second African American to hold that office, a milestone that earned her national recognition. Her entry into office came during a turbulent time for the city, marked by a city council racism scandal.
Bass stepped into one of the hardest jobs in American local government. She inherited a city grappling with a homelessness crisis, rising crime, and deep political divisions. Her supporters argue she has made measurable progress on each of those fronts since taking office.
Jeanie Buss takes a different side
While Johnson threw his weight behind Bass, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss went in a very different direction. Buss made a maximum $1,800 donation to Spencer Pratt’s 2026 mayoral campaign, putting her firmly in the challenger’s corner. Pratt was also seen sitting next to Buss at a Lakers playoff game, drawing immediate public attention.
Johnson has long referred to Buss as his “sister,” making the split between them especially notable. Buss has not made any public statement endorsing Pratt. Still, her financial backing and courtside appearance with him sent a clear signal about where she stands in this race.
Fun fact: Magic Johnson became the first person ever to own Starbucks locations outside of Starbucks itself, opening 125 stores in underserved urban communities across America.
Spencer Pratt’s surprise rise as a challenger
Spencer Pratt’s candidacy started as a curiosity and turned into a genuine threat. His campaign ads have racked up tens of millions of views, turning a local race into a national conversation. Pratt lost his home in the devastating 2025 Palisades fire, and he has used that experience as a cornerstone of his campaign.
Pratt raised over half a million dollars in 2026 alone, more than either Bass or rival Nithya Raman during the same period. He taps into voter frustration over the wildfire response, housing costs, and homelessness. His critics say he borrows heavily from a politics-of-grievance playbook, but his polling numbers show real traction.
Crowded field shapes polling race
The LA mayoral race is not just a two-person contest. City Councilmember Nithya Raman is also in the running, positioning herself as a democratic socialist alternative to both Bass and Pratt. The most recent available polling, from UC Berkeley and the LA Times in March, placed Bass at 25 percent support, Raman at 17 percent, and Pratt at 14 percent.
The most important number in that poll might be the undecideds. Roughly a quarter of respondents had not yet made up their minds. That leaves a wide-open lane for any candidate to gain ground before the June 2 primary. Unless one candidate clears 50 percent in the primary, the top two finishers will move on to the November general election.
Why Magic Johnson’s voice matters
Magic Johnson is not just a basketball legend. He is a respected business leader and longtime civic figure in Los Angeles. His support matters because he holds deep local credibility that crosses community lines. His business investments in underserved LA communities have made him a trusted voice beyond the sports world.
For Bass’s campaign, the timing of Johnson’s endorsement was critical. In a race flooded with noise, Johnson’s word carries the kind of weight that money alone cannot buy.
Little-known fact: Magic Johnson himself said a 1979 NBA Draft coin flip was the only thing that kept him from becoming a Chicago Bull instead of a Laker.
Endorsement battle heats up
Bass is not relying on Johnson alone. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also endorsed Bass for reelection, calling her the leader Los Angeles needs right now. Actor Samuel L. Jackson and producer J.J. Abrams are also among her backers, forming a powerful cultural coalition around her campaign.
Pratt has his own roster of supporters beyond Buss. Katharine McPhee, known from American Idol, is among those backing his campaign. Raman has drawn support from former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau and actress Mindy Kaling. The endorsement battle reflects how seriously all sides are taking this race.
What this endorsement means for the race
Magic Johnson stepping into the political spotlight sends a message that goes beyond one endorsement. It signals that influential Black civic and business leaders in Los Angeles are rallying around Bass as a symbol of progress and stability. Johnson’s backing reinforces a broader consolidation of support within communities that helped Bass make history in 2022.
The split between Johnson and Buss also reveals how deeply this race has divided even close allies. It shows that the 2026 LA mayoral election is about more than politics. It is a reflection of competing visions for the future of one of America’s most complex and culturally rich cities.
TL;DR
- Magic Johnson publicly endorsed Mayor Karen Bass for reelection on May 10, 2026.
- Johnson cited their 30-year friendship and Bass’s progress on homelessness and crime.
- Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is backing challenger Spencer Pratt, splitting two longtime allies.
- Bass’s record includes a 7.9% drop in unsheltered homelessness and a 19% drop in homicides.
- Spencer Pratt is a growing threat, having raised over $500K and gone viral with campaign ads.
- Bass leads in polls, but roughly a quarter of voters remain undecided.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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