Reality television personality Spencer Pratt, now a candidate for Los Angeles mayor, has compared his lack of political experience to that of former President Barack Obama in his early career. In an interview with CBS News correspondent Adam Yamaguchi, Pratt emphasized that Obama’s initial rise to national prominence came without prior experience managing a large government, drawing a parallel to his own candidacy.
“I mean, look at Obama,” Pratt said. “He was a community organizer. I’ve won two community advocate awards… Nobody thought, ‘Why can Obama become a senator and then the president?’ He had no experience running the whole entire country, which is way bigger than L.A.”
Pratt, known for his role in the mid-2000s reality television show “The Hills,” launched his mayoral campaign after his home was destroyed in the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. His entry into the race challenges incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, who has faced criticism for her administration’s handling of the wildfire disaster.
The Los Angeles mayoral election is scheduled for June 2, with a potential runoff on November 3 if no candidate secures a majority. Despite running as a Republican in a city that has not elected a Republican mayor since 2001, Pratt expressed confidence in his chances, stating that his supporters and family are mostly Democrats.
“I’m confident I’m probably going to win with 51% on June 2 because I don’t do a political message,” Pratt said. “I don’t do national politics. I don’t do tribal politics. I don’t talk about other states. I’m localized. I just want to fix our streets, get the lights on. I want people to feel safe.”
Why it matters
Pratt’s campaign represents an unusual political trajectory from reality TV personality to candidate for one of the nation’s largest cities. His message focuses on local issues rather than partisan politics, positioning himself as an outsider aiming to address practical concerns such as public safety and infrastructure. The wildfire response criticism of Mayor Bass adds urgency and visibility to this citywide election.
Background
Spencer Pratt gained fame on MTV’s “The Hills” and later transitioned into local political activism, receiving community advocate recognition. Los Angeles has been governed by Democrat mayors since 2001. The 2025 wildfires significantly impacted the city, leading to calls for stronger leadership and accountability from city officials. The mayoral election’s outcome will shape Los Angeles’s recovery and policy direction amid ongoing challenges.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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