On the first anniversary of the Palisades fire, Spencer Pratt revealed his intention to run for mayor of Los Angeles. This announcement came on his show “They Let Us Burn!” during a protest near the site of his former home, which was destroyed in the fire.
Pratt, visibly emotional, recounted that January 7, 2025, was the day he and his wife, Heidi Montag, lost everything they owned. “It was the worst day of my life,” he said to the attendees. He shared that he had imagined his sons growing up in the same community that shaped his childhood, only to see that dream vanish in the flames.
Diving into his motivations for running, the 42-year-old expressed frustration at the lack of effective leadership he sees in the city. He criticized Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom, citing that the past year’s events could have been avoided. With a strong conviction, he stated that “business-as-usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles,” indicating that he is determined to make a difference, not just through a campaign, but through a mission.
After the announcement, Pratt shared a photo of himself with the filed paperwork and encouraged support for his campaign online. Since the fire, he has been vocal on social media about what he calls mismanagement and negligence from city and state leaders in their response efforts.
Earlier this year, Pratt and Montag took legal action against the city and the Department of Water and Power, blaming them for the fire’s aftermath that destroyed their home. They joined other property owners in this lawsuit, seeking accountability for damages incurred.
The situation has also garnered interest from congressional Republicans, who are initiating an investigation into the fire’s response. Pratt expressed his appreciation for these efforts, hoping for more accountability among those in power.
Additionally, during the protest, he was joined by Kelly Loeffler, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, who observed the ongoing obstacles in securing rebuilding permits. Meanwhile, responses from Bass’ campaign framed Pratt’s announcement as a publicity stunt, and state officials shifted blame for fire response to local agencies, clarifying the legal responsibilities involved. They also mentioned that the fire was started by an out-of-state arsonist, now facing prosecution.
In conclusion, as Pratt navigates his newly announced political ambitions, he remains a contentious figure, challenging the status quo while grappling with the personal impact of the disaster that changed his life.
