Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV personality, is running for mayor of Los Angeles, positioning himself as a candidate who can “shake up city hall” despite having no prior political experience. Pratt, 42, is currently polling second in the race for mayor of the second-largest U.S. city.
Pratt first gained fame as the controversial figure on MTV’s mid-2000s reality show “The Hills.” Now a registered Republican, he acknowledges the challenges of running in a predominantly Democratic city that has not elected a Republican mayor since 2001.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Pratt stated, “I may not have the experience, but I have the common sense to say this is not working.” He emphasized his priorities include fixing city streets, restoring streetlights, and improving public safety.
Pratt attributed his decision to run to the 2025 Palisades Fire, which destroyed his home. “I had to step up so that my sons one day can … come back here and live in the L.A. that I lived in — beautiful, safe,” he said. He criticized what he describes as “failed politicians” responsible for the city’s current state.
The incumbent mayor, Karen Bass, a Democrat, faced criticism over her handling of recent wildfires. One year after the Palisades Fire, Bass noted progress with hundreds of approved and under-construction homes in affected neighborhoods. The mayoral race includes candidates such as Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who debated Pratt and Bass recently.
Los Angeles’ mayoral election is nonpartisan and scheduled for June 2. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff between the top two candidates will follow on November 3.
Pratt is aware of his reality TV reputation as a “villain,” clarifying that those antics were strategic and produced for television. He insists his mayoral campaign reflects genuine concern: “There’s no strategy when you’re standing in an Airstream on your burned out town. You can’t fake that.”
Why it matters
Pratt’s candidacy represents a rare Republican challenge for Los Angeles’ mayoralty in more than two decades, highlighting voter dissatisfaction with city leadership on issues such as public safety and infrastructure. The outcome could signal whether unconventional candidates can shift the city’s political landscape.
Background
Los Angeles has been led by Democratic mayors since 2001. Pratt’s campaign follows a period marked by increased scrutiny of city officials’ responses to crises like wildfires and infrastructure challenges. The election occurs amid growing debates about urban safety and governance in large U.S. cities.
Sources
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