With the primary election less than three weeks away, California's gubernatorial and mayoral races have taken a fiery turn as candidates make last-ditch efforts to convince voters of their governance credentials.
Reality TV Star Takes on LA Mayor
Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in the Palisades fire, has made a populist pitch to Angelenos unhappy with Mayor Karen Bass's leadership. Pratt, known for his villainous role on The Hills, has cast himself as an anti-establishment figure, calling Los Angeles lawless and broken. He accused Bass of paying street operatives to keep addicts high for NGO profits, without evidence. In a video, Pratt stood on his charred property, saying, 'This is where I live,' but TMZ reported he was staying at a five-star hotel in Bel Air. Pratt gave conflicting answers, citing security concerns.
Becerra Denies Corruption Link
In the governor's race, Katie Porter suggested legal trouble may await Xavier Becerra after his former adviser Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to corruption. Becerra denied wrongdoing, and the US attorney confirmed no candidate was implicated. Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer also attacked Becerra, with Hilton saying he should prepare a criminal defense. Becerra countered that the case does not involve him. Steyer pressed Becerra over a viral news appearance where Becerra asked a reporter, 'This is not a gotcha piece, right?' Chad Bianco suggested Becerra was hiding something.
Billionaire Under Fire
Tom Steyer faces skepticism over how a billionaire can relate to the cost-of-living crisis. His self-funded campaign spent $132m, but critics question his working-class credentials. Porter called him 'a billionaire who got rich off polluters and ICE prisons.' Becerra posted a video urging viewers to 'put an end to the Tom Steyer ads.'
Steve Hilton's Taco Gaffe
Leading Republican Steve Hilton faced backlash for saying he got a 'street taco' from Del Taco. Rivals Chad Bianco and Antonio Villaraigosa filmed themselves eating authentic tacos from local taquerias. Bianco took a shot at Hilton's British origins, saying he was eating tacos to honor Hilton's fifth anniversary as a US citizen.
