Hello, readers. Every morning, I wake up and wonder what I might have missed while I slept. Do you ever feel that way?
So, let’s dive in. It’s hard to believe, but there’s this ad making rounds among conservatives that was created by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. It’s only 30 seconds long, but honestly, it’s a bit shocking. You can check it out for yourself. Here’s what it says (thanks, Grok!):
**Narration (in a serious tone):** “Republican Spencer Pratt is the person we need most as mayor of Los Angeles.”
[Cut to an image of a suburban housing development]** Text on screen:** “Republican Spencer Pratt opposes using tax dollars to build brand new homes for homeless neighbors.” **Narration:** “Mr. Pratt opposes using tax dollars to build brand new homes for homeless neighbors and believes it’s time for homeless people to get help or move on.”
[Cut to Pratt in a radio studio with a California Post headline graphic: “Spencer Pratt is taking a hard line on the city’s homelessness, proposing a ‘get help or get out’ approach.”]
The narration flows smoothly. [Cut to a protest scene with a police officer and protesters holding signs like “NO Justice NO Peace.”] **Text on screen:** “Republican Spencer Pratt thinks: L.A. needs thousands more police officers.” **Narration:** “Mr. Pratt thinks Los Angeles needs thousands more police officers, not social workers.”
[Cut to a crowd of union/public employee protesters with signs like “FULLY STAFFED SCHOOLS NOW,” “WE NEED SMALLER CLASS SIZES,” etc.] **Text on screen:** “Republican Spencer Pratt thinks: Public employee unions should have less power.” **Narration:** “And Republican Spencer Pratt believes public employee unions should have less power, not more.”
[Cut to shots of the LA skyline/city hall building.] **Text on screen:** “LA is on the right path.” **Narration:** “L.A. is on the right track and needs to keep moving forward.”
[Final screen: Pratt at a podium again.] **Large text:** “Vote against Republican Spencer Pratt.” **Small disclaimer:** “This ad is not endorsed or coordinated by any city candidate… It was paid for by the LA Labor Union, which opposes Spencer Pratt in the 2026 mayoral race and sponsored by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO…” **Narration (final):** “I will vote against Republican Spencer Pratt.” End of ad.
In essence, the ad outlines three policy positions. Mr. Pratt believes the government ought to take a more proactive stance on homelessness, thinks we need more police and fewer social workers on the streets, and feels public sector unions should have less influence.
It’s rather striking, isn’t it? The second-largest labor union in the country is spending $250,000 on ads that portray Spencer Pratt in a not-so-favorable light. Unsurprisingly, the ad has quickly gained traction among conservatives online, perhaps helping Pratt “look cool,” even though I get it—Twitter isn’t necessarily reality.
So, what do the actual statistics indicate? It might not be shocking to know that voters in L.A. don’t seem to have a full grasp of the issues, much like voters elsewhere. Interestingly, these three policies align pretty well with national trends—voters across the U.S. are more inclined to support temporary, conditional shelter for homeless individuals rather than permanent housing initiatives funded by taxpayers. In L.A., 44% support conditional temporary shelter, while only 25% back permanent housing. Also, a vast majority, over three in four, believe the government mishandles funds aimed at addressing homelessness. L.A. voters view the issue as worsening, often likening it to a “natural disaster.” (Typical L.A., right?)
Is the police aspect really necessary in the ad? A broad spectrum of voters in L.A. County favors an increased police presence. The sole exception? Yes, you guessed it—young people. They prefer more funding for social services but importantly don’t believe that this should come at the expense of police presence. Once again, public opinion in L.A. mirrors national sentiments.
The arguments regarding public sector unions are not as straightforward as those on police and homelessness. Nationwide, these unions are generally well-supported by voters, with about 76% backing them. Yet, there’s also significant support for “right to work” policies that oppose forced union membership (around 82%). In both contexts, most voters express disapproval of high salaries for civil servants. Particularly in L.A. County, pro-labor voters typically hold sway in mayoral elections. While voters often support union-related initiatives, Mr. Pratt may encounter challenges from this segment of the electorate.
Now, there’s an interesting twist with the labor federation’s ad. Voters don’t prioritize these issues equally. They identify homelessness as the most severe problem (as noted by 95% of respondents). Other significant concerns are the cost of living, affordability, government mismanagement, and utility costs. Moreover, 62% consider security a “serious” issue.
Here’s the real eye-opener: in public opinion polls, hardly any voters spontaneously mention labor’s policy goals. They don’t even rank among their top priorities, which suggests that less than 1% think about union objectives when asked what matters most. To sum it up, the LA Federation allocated $250,000 to showcase Spencer Pratt’s strengths against his main opponent, Karen Bass. It’s almost comical, right?
