Reality television star Spencer Pratt announced Wednesday he’s running for Los Angeles mayor, transforming his social media criticism into a full-fledged political campaign.
The former “Hills” star lost his Pacific Palisades home in the devastating fire that killed 12 people and destroyed over 6,800 homes.
He made his announcement at the “They Let Us Burn” event, exactly one year after flames tore through his neighborhood.
His entrance into the race signals a dramatic shift in Los Angeles politics, where fire survivors are demanding accountability from city leadership.
From Reality TV to Political Reality
Pratt has never held political office. But that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of Mayor Karen Bass’s most vocal critics over the past year.
Standing before hundreds of supporters in Pacific Palisades, he delivered a message that resonated with frustrated residents.
We’re going to expose the system. We’re going into every dark corner of L.A. politics and disinfecting the city with our light.
Many in attendance cheered his announcement. The crowd represented survivors and community members still grappling with displacement and loss.
Pratt and his wife, reality personality Heidi Montag, filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles in January. Their legal action targets the city’s decision to keep the Santa Ynez reservoir empty when the fire erupted.
A Crowded Field Takes Shape
Pratt joins an increasingly competitive mayoral race. Former Los Angeles schools Superintendent Austin Beutner has launched his own campaign against Bass, criticizing her refusal to accept responsibility for city failures.
Community organizer Rae Huang is attacking from Bass’s left flank. She argues the mayor has engaged in excessive finger-pointing rather than taking ownership.
Real estate developer Rick Caruso remains conspicuously silent about his intentions. He lost to Bass by a comfortable margin in 2022, but the Palisades fire has dramatically shifted the political landscape.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath represents the burned areas. She told CNN’s Elex Michaelson Tuesday that she’s seriously considering her own mayoral bid.
You know, there are a lot of people who are asking me about running for mayor. And I think it’s because they see that we are setting up in the county a different structure of accountability, and that’s long overdue for the region.
The After-Action Report Controversy
Horvath criticized Los Angeles officials for their handling of the Fire Department’s after-action report. The document was supposed to outline what went wrong and prevent future failures.
The Los Angeles Times reported last month that multiple drafts were edited to downplay departmental failures. Fire Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged Tuesday that the report had been deliberately softened to protect LAFD leadership.
County officials invited city leadership to participate in their own independent after-action review. Los Angeles declined.
They declined participating and now we know why — because they wanted to cover up and tell their own story however they wanted to tell it.
This revelation has further damaged Bass’s credibility with voters already frustrated by the emergency response.
Bass Faces Multiple Crisis Points
Mayor Bass was in Ghana on a diplomatic mission when the Palisades fire ignited. Her absence during the initial crisis became an immediate political liability.
Since returning, she’s faced withering criticism on several fronts:
- LAFD deployment decisions that left some neighborhoods without adequate protection
- Empty Santa Ynez reservoir that couldn’t supply firefighting water when needed most
- New Year’s Day fire failure where the department failed to fully extinguish flames that later rekindled into the massive Palisades blaze
Bass responded Tuesday by emphasizing her efforts to streamline rebuilding processes. She’s cutting red tape at the Department of Building and Safety to expedite reconstruction permits.
By Wednesday, nearly 700 addresses in the Palisades had received permits. More than 400 properties are now under construction, according to city officials.
Campaign Attacks Begin
Bass’s campaign didn’t hold back in responding to Pratt’s announcement. Spokesperson Douglas Herman released a scathing statement questioning Pratt’s motivations.
It’s no shock that in advance of his imminent book release, a reality TV ‘villain’ who once staged a fake divorce to boost ratings and spent the last summer spewing post-fire misinformation and disinformation to pump up his social media following, would now announce he’s running for Mayor.
The statement references Pratt’s controversial past on “The Hills.” His reality television persona was built on creating drama and conflict.
Pratt has maintained his social media criticism right up until his announcement. On Tuesday, he posted on X about polling showing only 7% of Angelenos have “a great deal of confidence” in city and state government.
Have they looked around?
Beyond Mayor: Bigger Ambitions?
Interestingly, Pratt has previously hinted at gubernatorial ambitions. His website still sells “Spencer for Governor” shirts for $20, discounted more than 50%.
Whether his mayoral run is genuine political ambition or a stepping stone to higher office remains unclear. Some observers wonder if it’s simply an extension of his reality television brand.
What’s certain is that the Palisades fire has fundamentally altered Los Angeles politics. Survivors want answers, accountability, and leadership that prioritizes emergency preparedness.
Pratt’s candidacy—regardless of its chances—represents widespread frustration with traditional political responses to disaster. His message resonates with residents who feel abandoned by city leadership when they needed it most.
The 2025 Los Angeles mayoral race promises to be unlike any in recent memory, with fire survivors demanding fundamental changes to how their city prepares for and responds to emergencies.