A surprisingly competitive mayoral campaign from former reality television star Spencer Pratt has thrust some of Los Angeles’ economic anxieties into the national spotlight ahead of Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary election.
Pratt has built his campaign around frustration with the city’s leadership and direction after the Pacific Palisades home he shared with his wife, fellow “The Hills” co-star Heidi Montag, and their two children was destroyed by the devastating fires that ravaged Los Angeles last year. In viral campaign videos, he has portrayed Los Angeles as poorly managed and struggling to recover from overlapping crises.
The message appears to be resonating: Recent polls show Pratt competitive with Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman and within striking distance of incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
Pratt’s rise comes when many living in the country’s second-largest city grapple with a deep uncertainty about its future.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt interacts with supporters during a Community Meet and Greet event in a residential neighborhood of Sherman Oaks on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Etienne Laurent/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
