Spencer Pratt, the reality television personality known for his antics on "The Hills," has failed in his bid to become mayor of Los Angeles. The Associated Press confirmed on Monday that he did not secure a spot in the November runoff election, leaving incumbent Karen Bass to face progressive city council member Nithya Raman.
Pratt's campaign, endorsed by President Donald Trump, combined celebrity appeal with AI-generated videos and a raw expression of public frustration. He highlighted chronic issues including homelessness, crime and urban decay, often declaring on the campaign trail: "Enough is enough." His political ambitions were reportedly sparked by the destruction of his home in last year's Palisades Fire. In a campaign video, standing before a trailer on the ruins of his property, he said: "This is where I live... They let my home burn down. I know what the consequences of failed leadership are." However, reports later revealed he was residing in the Hotel Bel-Air rather than the trailer.
The tallying of votes from the June 2 primary took several days, a process typical in California. Pratt acknowledged the delay, posting photographs outside city hall with the single word: "Patience." But the electoral arithmetic proved insurmountable. No Republican has won a mayoral race in Los Angeles since 1997, with Republicans accounting for less than 15% of registered voters and Democrats outnumbering them nearly two-to-one statewide. The challenge echoed that of billionaire Rick Caruso in 2022, who spent over $100 million and lost to Bass by nearly 10 percentage points.
Despite his political inexperience, Pratt attracted support from some residents. Dennis Kamrany, a lifelong Pacific Palisades resident, said he wanted "someone that's a fighter, that has energy, that's young, that is talking about common sense policies," adding: "What the hell do we have to lose? We're already in the dumps. Give somebody else a shot." Conservative commentator Steve Hilton viewed Pratt's candidacy as a signal that California voters are seeking a departure from prevailing liberal governance. "We've got a failed and broken system and you've got a couple of outsiders who've never run for office before. This is our moment," he said. Others were less favourable; Deanna Crane, 33, said she wanted "anyone with a pulse other than Spencer Pratt," and voted for Raman despite her dissatisfaction with Bass's fire response.
Pratt's public life has long been intertwined with celebrity. He rose to prominence on "The Hills" as Heidi Montag's boyfriend, and the couple embraced their roles as "fame-seeking television villains." They published a guide titled "How to Be Famous" in 2009. Pratt claimed responsibility for spreading rumours about a sex tape involving "The Hills" star Lauren Conrad, later denying it. He and Montag filed for divorce a year and a half after marrying, only for Pratt to later admit it was faked to boost her music career. During their separation, he was arrested in Costa Rica for attempting to board a flight with a firearm. His ventures included a memoir, a rap song, and a company called Pratt Daddy selling crystals allegedly capable of healing; he once spent $1 million on such crystals. He is reported to have blown through a net worth of $10 million.
