Reality TV star Spencer Pratt has launched a campaign for mayor of Los Angeles, promising to “expose the system.”
His bid comes on the anniversary of the Palisades Fire, one of California’s most destructive wildfires, which destroyed his home.
Pratt spoke at a “They Let Us Burn” rally, organised by residents who lost their homes in the blaze.
Anniversary of the Fires
The Palisades Fire began on 7 January 2025, sweeping through the coastal community between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Hours later, the Eaton Fire ignited on the other side of the city. Together, the two fires killed 31 people and destroyed over 16,000 homes and businesses.
Campaign Launch
Pratt posted Instagram photos of himself signing what appears to be campaign paperwork, though the filing was not yet official.
“Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles,” he told the crowd. “I’m done waiting for someone to take real action. That’s why I’m running for mayor.”
He added, “This isn’t just a campaign. This is a mission. We are going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting the city with our light.”
Personal Motivation
Pratt and his wife, Heidi Montag, also a reality star, lost their Pacific Palisades home in the fire.
He has criticised Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom for their handling of the disaster.
Reality TV Background
Pratt gained fame in the mid-2000s on MTV’s Laguna Beach spin-off The Hills. His relationship with Montag was a central storyline.
The couple married in 2008 and have two children. They later appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here and the UK edition of Celebrity Big Brother.
Mayoral Race Outlook
Despite his fame, Pratt is a first-time candidate. He faces long odds in a crowded field for the June non-partisan primary.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, elected in 2022 after defeating Rick Caruso, is seeking re-election. More than a dozen other candidates have also entered the race.
