Reality television star Spencer Pratt has officially declared his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles, launching his campaign on the first anniversary of the devastating Palisades wildfire.
A Campaign Born from Personal Loss
Pratt, a resident of Pacific Palisades, made the announcement at a rally named "They Let Us Burn" held on Wednesday. The event marked one year since the fire that destroyed his family home, as well as the home of his parents. His wife, fellow reality TV figure Heidi Montag, also lost her home in the blaze.
In a scathing speech, Pratt positioned himself as an outsider fighting a broken system. "The system in Los Angeles isn't struggling, it's fundamentally broken," he stated. "It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash."
Targeting City and State Leadership
Pratt has been a vocal critic of multiple officials in the aftermath of the fire. He has directly blamed Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Janisse Quiñones, the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, for what he describes as a failure to prevent the tragedy and a mismanaged recovery effort.
His accusations extend to broader institutional failings, including decades of poor vegetation management by the state and critical shortcomings within the city's fire department. "It could be due to lack of budget, lack of knowledge or simply DEI," Pratt said of the fire service's performance.
Entering a Crowded Political Arena
Pratt now joins a competitive field for the city's top job. The race already includes incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, former LA Unified School District superintendent Austin Beutner, and community organiser Rae Huang. Another potential heavyweight contender is Rick Caruso, the billionaire businessman who narrowly lost to Bass in the 2022 election.
Caruso has not yet confirmed if he will run again in the June primary, with reports suggesting he is also considering a bid for Governor of California.
Despite the campaign's launch, Pratt's official website remains sparse. It currently features links to his social media, a donation button, and a headshot labelled "Pacific Palisades Resident & Karen Bass' Worst Nightmare." He has also repurposed his Instagram account to focus on his political campaign.
Pratt has secured an early endorsement from Ric Grenell, a former Republican diplomat and current interim head of the Kennedy Center. Grenell, who also leads the conservative group Fix California, posted his support on X, writing: "Transparency is what we need. Spencer has the passion and the drive to make positive change for Los Angeles."
