Spencer Pratt, best known as the villain from the 2006 reality TV show The Hills, is now a serious candidate for mayor of Los Angeles. His campaign taps into widespread frustration over the cost-of-living crisis and the slow recovery from the 2025 wildfires that devastated parts of the city.
Pratt's Rise in the Polls
Recent polls place Pratt second in the nonpartisan race, behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass but ahead of progressive councilor Nithya Raman. He has gained endorsements from Joe Rogan and praise from Elon Musk, while his ads dominate TikTok and X. Despite being a former registered Republican in a deep-blue city, Pratt has positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure focused on local issues.
Key Issues: Wildfires and Homelessness
Pratt lost his home in the Pacific Palisades fire and has been a vocal critic of the city's response. He has sued the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, alleging water supply failures. On homelessness, he advocates for a "treatment first" approach, contrasting with the city's housing-first model. Los Angeles has nearly 44,000 unhoused people and a shortage of 270,000 affordable housing units.
Mayor Bass has touted a 17.5% reduction in street homelessness, but many residents remain frustrated. "People don't feel it when they walk around the streets," said Sara Sadhwani, a political science professor at Pomona College.
Campaign Tactics and Controversies
Pratt's ads are provocative, including one showing his trailer on his burnt-out lot with the line "This is where I live." He faced scrutiny after TMZ reported he was staying at the Hotel Bel-Air, but Pratt said he moved due to death threats. Another AI-generated ad depicts him as Batman fighting elites. Critics question his experience, but Pratt argues he has common sense and will surround himself with experts.
In a recent debate, Pratt performed well, channeling voter frustrations. An Emerson poll after the debate showed Bass at 30%, Pratt at 22%, and Raman at 19%, with many voters undecided. Zev Yaroslavsky of UCLA noted that Pratt came across as "a guy whose home was burned down" rather than an extremist.
Political Landscape
Bass's approval fell after the fires, but she gained a boost by confronting Trump's immigration raids. Yaroslavsky said Trump sent her "a political lifeline." However, Bass's poll numbers remain low, and the race is expected to go to a runoff in November. Pratt's campaign has resonated with fire survivors like Nina Madok, who said, "He has that empathy."
Pratt has shifted his party affiliation to independent, stating, "I don't do national politics." This may help him appeal to a broad electorate in a city where Trump is deeply unpopular. Whether his reality TV fame translates into electoral success remains to be seen.
