Spencer Pratt Emerges as Strong Contender in LA Mayoral Race

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt is making headway in the Los Angeles mayoral race, aiming to defeat current Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming November election.

Bass has been leading the city since 2022 and navigated a challenging climate, especially during the wildfires. However, she didn’t secure a majority in Tuesday’s primary, leading to a runoff election due to none of the candidates achieving the required 50% of the votes.

This upcoming runoff is seen as somewhat of a setback for Bass. She’s been endorsed by prominent figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, and boasts a long history in California’s Democratic politics.

Pratt, who gained fame through MTV’s “The Hills,” was positioned in second place as of Wednesday morning.

Pratt expressed his confidence, suggesting, “Maybe, uh, God wanted me to have more time to highlight the mayor’s shortcomings,” following the election results on Tuesday.

He has consistently criticized Bass, taking aim at her handling of issues such as fire recovery, homelessness, and crime. In fact, he goes so far as to hold her accountable for significant wildfires that have devastated the city, including damage to his own home in Pacific Palisades.

Interestingly, Pratt’s surge seems to have pushed out City Councilman Nitya Raman, who has allied with Bass but was also a left-wing challenger. Raman, affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, has previously sought to steer the city toward more progressive policies, but he remains significantly behind in votes.

As for Pratt, who identifies as a Republican, he faces an uphill battle against Bass if he makes it to the runoff, especially given that less than 20% of voters in Democratic-leaning Los Angeles align with the Republican Party.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), representing the San Diego area, suggested that Pratt’s rising popularity stems from widespread dissatisfaction with Bass’s leadership. “Karen Bass has been ineffective, even among traditional Democrats,” he remarked, referring to the crime and management issues prominent in the city.

In contrast, Bass is maintaining that her administration is positively influencing the direction of Los Angeles. “We’re at a tipping point,” her campaign asserts, emphasizing efforts to tackle rising homelessness and improve city operations.

While Bass claims the city is on the right path, the outcome of the runoff election in November remains uncertain.