Spencer Pratt is done watching from the sidelines. The reality TV star best known for his time on "The Hills" is officially running for Mayor of Los Angeles, and he is not easing into it. The 42-year-old reality star says the city failed him, failed his family, and failed thousands of others.
Pratt kicked off his campaign at a rally filled with anger, grief, and frustration. He framed his run as a direct response to what he calls a broken system.
On January 7, 2026, Spencer Pratt announced his mayoral bid at the "They Let Us Burn" rally in Pacific Palisades. The date marked one year since the Palisades Fire wiped out his home and the home he shared with his wife, Heidi Montag. The fire changed everything for him, and he wants voters to know it.
Pratt shared the confirmation with his 1.1 million Instagram followers!
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Standing before the crowd, Pratt slammed city leadership with zero restraint. He said business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles. He promised to expose what he sees as rot inside City Hall. The language was dramatic, but the pain behind it felt real. For Pratt, this race is personal, not theoretical.
His anger is aimed squarely at Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. Pratt claims the 2025 wildfires were preventable and mishandled. He has repeated that charge online for months, often in blunt, emotional posts. The “Speidi” actor says leaders failed to act, failed to prepare, and failed to protect residents.
Pratt and Montag joined other fire victims in a lawsuit against the city and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The case claims that poor infrastructure and weak response made the disaster worse. That legal fight now sits at the heart of his political message.
From Reality TV Chaos to Political Purpose
Spencer / IG / Pratt first became famous in the mid-2000s on MTV’s "The Hills". His on-screen romance and marriage to Heidi Montag turned him into a pop culture lightning rod.
Fans loved him or hated him. There was rarely a middle ground. That notoriety still follows him today.
After "The Hills", Pratt leaned into the chaos. He appeared on "I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!" and the UK version of "Celebrity Big Brother". He embraced the villain label and played it up. At one point, viewers even voted him the greatest reality TV villain. Pratt never ran from that image. He monetized it.
Now he says that era is behind him. Pratt points to his education as proof that he is more than a TV persona. He holds a degree in political science from the University of Southern California. Plus, he argues that understanding power and using it are two different things. This campaign, he says, is about using it.
Though publicly known as a Republican, Pratt keeps reminding voters that the LA mayoral race is nonpartisan. The “Ernset” actor claims party labels matter less than results. He has said he would challenge Bass and Newsom no matter their affiliation.
The Bass campaign wasted no time firing back. A spokesperson dismissed Pratt as a reality TV villain who once staged a fake divorce for ratings. The comment was sharp and clearly meant to cut. Pratt responded by saying insults prove his point. He claims the establishment always mocks outsiders.
The Star Is Entering Into a Crowded Race
Spencer / IG / Pratt is stepping into a tough race. Mayor Bass is seeking reelection after beating Rick Caruso in 2022. The field is already crowded with serious names.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath is in the mix. Former LA schools superintendent Austin Beutner is also eyeing the seat. Community organizer Rae Huang has support from grassroots groups.
Rick Caruso may also run again. Like Pratt, Caruso has criticized the city’s wildfire response. That overlap could split voters who are angry about fire prevention and recovery. It also keeps the issue front and center, which may worry the current mayor.