Spencer Pratt Gains Traction in LA Mayoral Race

Spencer Pratt, known for his role on The Hills, has surged in the Los Angeles mayoral race following a fiery debate performance against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman. His aggressive populist messaging and viral AI-generated campaign ads have positioned him as a serious challenger in the upcoming election.

During the NBC4-hosted debate, Pratt accused Bass of failing to provide adequate resources during the Palisades fire, claiming that 'one thousand firefighters were available but there was no engines available for them because of $17 million that [Fire] Chief Crowley had asked the mayor for nine weeks before, and Mayor Karen Bass denied it.' According to CBS News, Pratt stated, 'I may not have the experience, but I have the common sense to say this is not working.' Bass countered by calling his statements 'completely inaccurate' and explained that the Santa Ynez reservoir is designed for drinking water, not emergency response. She also accused him of exploiting the grief of wildfire victims.

Pratt has repositioned himself as a populist challenger, using his personal loss in the fires as political ammunition. He argued that neither Bass nor Raman experiences homelessness firsthand while living in their neighborhoods. According to Fox News, Pratt received donations from prominent celebrities including Jeanie Buss, Doug Reinhardt, and Jeff Jenkins. Raman condemned Pratt for filming outside her home, calling it 'unnecessary and reckless.' This clash underscores a broader political shift ahead of the June 2 mayoral primary.

Pratt's aggressive style drew laughs from the audience and praise for his brash demeanor. According to NBC, 79% of viewers declared him the winner of the debate. His campaign has also received donations from prominent celebrities, including former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, Doug Reinhardt, and Jeff Jenkins.

Pratt said he 'didn't want to run for mayor,' but that changed last year when he lost his home to the devastating Palisades Fire. He is now polling second in the mayoral race with no prior political experience. Los Angeles has not had a Republican mayor since 2001, and Pratt thinks he can 'change the political landscape' of L.A., despite being a registered Republican aligned with Donald Trump.

Pratt initially criticized CBS News for airing an edited interview segment that included clips from his reality TV show. He accused the network of turning the hour-long interview into a 'comical 5-minute hit piece.' However, after CBS posted the full version of the interview online, Pratt softened his criticism and thanked them on X, stating, 'A new era of responsible journalism!' According to Fox News Digital, CBS cited a source familiar with the production who said no outside parties were involved in editing the segment.

In the televised interview, CBS correspondent Adam Yamaguchi questioned Pratt about his lack of political experience and uphill path in a heavily Democratic-voting Los Angeles. Pratt defended his candidacy by arguing that city leadership has failed to address ongoing crises, stating, 'I may not have the experience, but I have the common sense to say, ‘This is not working.’'

Pratt's campaign has garnered support from various celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Kristin Cavallari, and Joe Rogan. Despite being a registered Republican, he is running as an independent in the nonpartisan race and has attempted to distance himself from party politics. Recent polls show Bass leading, followed by Pratt and Raman, with a large segment of voters undecided. The race will likely proceed to a November runoff between the top two finishers.

Pratt's run has become a Hollywood flashpoint, with celebrities rallying behind him while others openly push back. High-profile names supporting his campaign include James Woods, Billy Bush, and Joanna Krupa. Pratt's sister Stephanie has been one of his most outspoken critics, urging Angelenos not to vote for her brother.

New revelations have emerged about Pratt's living situation during the campaign. According to TMZ, Pratt has been staying at the luxury Hotel Bel-Air, which charges at least $1,500 per night, rather than in a trailer as he previously claimed. Pratt defended his choice, citing safety concerns due to death threats he has received since his debate performance and surge in the polls.

Pratt's campaign platform includes a three-week 'grace period' where he would warn criminals, drug users, and homeless people to leave the city before taking action. He suggested bringing in the Centers for Disease Control to address 'medieval diseases' in LA's homeless encampments. His hardline stance on these issues has resonated with some voters but also drawn criticism.

During a recent interview on The Adam Carolla Show, Pratt revealed that if he loses, he will flee the city. 'If Karen Bass gets re-elected or Nithya [Raman] gets elected, I will be done with trying to live in LA,' The Hills star said. 'I'll go find somewhere my kids will not have to see naked zombies, and I can have the last American Dream somewhere. I will not rebuild if these people are in charge.' Pratt was referring to rebuilding his $3.8 million home, which he lost in the Palisades fire that ripped through the California city in January 2025.

Variety Chief Correspondent Marlow Stern mocked Pratt's declaration on X, writing: 'He lives in Santa Barbara' and included a reference to reporting that his wife Heidi Montag and two children are staying in the town of Carpinteria. Pratt hit back at Stern branding him a 'goblin' and reminding the New York City-based journalist that his LA home was destroyed, so he does not have a place to live in the city.