Reality TV star Spencer Pratt is making strides in Los Angeles’ mayoral race. He aims to defeat current Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming November election. Bass, leading since 2022, entered a runoff after not securing the majority in the primary vote.
Neither candidate surpassed a 50% threshold, leading to a November showdown between the top two finishers. This result is a setback for Bass, who has strong endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Previously, she has spent years in various Democratic roles in California.
On Wednesday, Pratt was in second place behind Bass. Known from the MTV show “The Hills,” he commented on the primary results, stating, “Obviously, God wanted five more months of me exposing the failures of our mayor.” Pratt criticizes Bass for ongoing city issues such as wildfire recovery, homelessness, and crime. He holds Bass responsible for the wildfires that destroyed over 18,000 structures, including his home.
Pratt’s campaign progress has affected Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman. Previously an ally of Bass, Raman challenged her from a more progressive stance. As of Wednesday, Raman lagged behind Bass and Pratt, though she has not conceded yet.
Pratt is a registered Republican in a predominantly Democratic city where the mayoral race is nonpartisan. He will have a challenging path to victory in November. Darrell Issa, a California representative, noted that voter dissatisfaction with Bass has helped Pratt gain traction. “He’s catching fire among historic Democrat voters because Karen Bass has been so ineffective,” Issa remarked.
Bass maintains that her leadership is improving Los Angeles. Her campaign website states, “Los Angeles is at a turning point. After decades of rising homelessness and a shrinking police force, it’s Mayor Karen Bass who finally stepped up.” It also claims successes with reduced homelessness, increased housing, and new police officers.
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