As the summer of 2026 unfolds, the political landscape in Los Angeles is heating up. Among the candidates vying for the mayoral seat is Spencer Pratt, a name synonymous with reality TV drama. Pratt’s campaign has been anything but conventional, drawing both intrigue and criticism.
Pratt, known for his time on reality televisionannounced his candidacy in January, focusing on the aftermath of the devastating L.A. wildfires. His personal experience with the fires, which destroyed his and Heidi Montag’s home, became a cornerstone of his platform. However, his campaign has not been without its share of controversies.
Pratt’s Campaign Platform and Controversies
Pratt’s campaign has centered on improving living conditions in Los Angeles and addressing homelessness. However, his approach to the latter issue has sparked debate. In a late May interview with ABC7 Eyewitness News, Pratt suggested that the city’s 40,000 homeless individuals were not truly unhoused but rather drug addicts choosing to live on the streets.
His financial history has also come under scrutiny. Pratt and Montag admitted to spending their $10 million net worth on luxury items, including a $1 million crystal collection. When questioned about managing the city’s $15 billion budget, Pratt defended his past financial decisions, stating that it was his money he mismanaged, not taxpayer money.
Celebrity Endorsements and Political Backing
Despite the controversies, Pratt has garnered support from several high-profile figures. Celebrities like Joe Rogan, Paris Hilton, and Kristin Cavallari have endorsed his campaign. Conservative politicians, including Ted Cruz and former President Trump, have also shown their support. Trump notably remarked, I heard he’s a big MAGA person.
Pratt has maintained that his campaign is nonpartisan and has nothing to do with national politics. However, his endorsements and statements suggest a different narrative. The primary election took place on June 2, with the secretary of state set to certify the results on June 10.
The Shift in the Polls
Until recently, Pratt was predicted to advance to the November runoff. However, on Sunday night, Nithya Raman, a progressive city councilmember, edged into second place. Raman’s campaign focuses on reducing homelessness, creating more film-industry jobs, and abolishing ICE in Los Angeles.
The slow count of mail-in ballots has left the race undecided. As of now, roughly 20 percent of the ballots remain to be tallied. In the face of this setback, Pratt has taken to social media, insinuating without evidence that the shift toward Raman is due to fraudulent votes from homeless people.
Reality TV icon Chrishell Stause, who wrote on Threads that every single person she’s tussled with on TV voted for Pratt, commented, This feels very validating. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Los Angeles to see how this unconventional campaign will play out.
