Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star from "The Hills," is running for mayor of Los Angeles in the June 2, 2026, primary election [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He entered the race in January 2026, citing frustration with city leadership after the 2025 wildfires destroyed his Pacific Palisades home and thousands of other structures [1, 2, 3, 7]. Pratt said, "I only got into the race because nobody else was going to run. I had to step up for my community and for Los Angeles." [1]

The mayoral contest is officially nonpartisan, but Pratt is a registered Republican running as an independent [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]. Los Angeles has fewer than 20% Republican voters, posing a challenge for Pratt, though he has attracted some dissatisfied Democratic voters [2, 4, 5]. Representative Darrell Issa said Pratt is "catching fire among ardent historic Democrat voters because Karen Bass has been so ineffective." [4]

In a recent UC Berkeley-LA Times poll, Pratt gained 22% support, closely trailing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass at 26% and City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 25% in a tight three-way race [1]. Pratt has surged about 8 points since March, helped by a fundraising boost largely from former Los Angeles residents who left the city in large numbers, estimated at 50,000 annually [1, 2]. He appeared on Fox & Friends and CNBC May 28 to discuss his campaign and fundraising success [1, 2].

Pratt has criticized Bass for her handling of homelessness, drug addiction, crime, and wildfire preparedness. He said, "It's not a homelessness problem, it's a drug addiction problem," and accused local NGOs and officials of letting people die on the streets and profiting from the crisis. "The mayor and these NGOs let seven of them die on the sidewalk a day in their own feces. So, yeah, these people are evil," Pratt said [1, 7]. Bass claims homelessness has declined 17.5% during her tenure, a figure Pratt calls fabricated [1]. Pratt plans to use California's SB 43 law to mandate treatment for severe addiction or mental illness [1].

Bass criticized Pratt as a "failed reality TV star who wants to be famous" and likened him to Donald Trump [5]. She is supported by top Democrats including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom [4, 5]. Pratt has celebrity endorsements from Paris Hilton, Dennis Quaid, Katharine McPhee, David Foster, and Kato Kaelin, who said, "LA needs a change in leadership." [3, 6]

Pratt’s sister Stephanie Pratt initially opposed his run but publicly reversed her stance, praising his dedication since the fires. "Wow, was I wrong. He has spent every day since the fires finding the facts, the mistakes, the negligence, and uncovering the truth that they never wanted us to know," she said [3].

Pratt also accused Bass of violating election law by campaigning within 100 feet of a ballot box [2, 7].

The June 2 primary will narrow the field to two candidates for a November runoff unless someone wins more than 50% of the vote [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]. The race remains tight as candidates ramp up their campaigns in the final days ahead of the vote.