Reality television star Spencer Pratt has embarked on a daring campaign to become the mayor of Los Angeles, vowing to "expose the system" on the anniversary of a devastating wildfire that ravaged his home and stands as one of California's most destructive blazes in history.
Pratt, 42, made the announcement at a rally titled "They Let Us Burn," organized by residents who lost their homes in the Palisades Fire. The protest marked a year since the fire ignited in Pacific Palisades on January 7, 2025, tearing through the wealthy coastal community nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Another blaze, the Eaton Fire, sparked hours later on the other side of the city. In total, 31 people were killed and more than 16,000 homes and businesses were destroyed.
Pratt posted photos on his Instagram page showing him signing what appears to be official campaign paperwork, although his filing was not yet official. "Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles," he told the Wednesday demonstration. "And I'm done waiting for someone to take real action. That's why I am running for mayor."
He added, "But let me be clear, this isn't just a campaign. This is a mission, and we are going to expose the system. We are going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting the city with our light."
He and his wife, former reality TV star Heidi Montag, lost their Pacific Palisades home in the fire. Since then, Pratt has emerged as a vocal critic of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom over their handling of the disaster.
Pratt rose to fame in the mid-2000s as a cast member on MTV's Laguna Beach spin-off The Hills, where his relationship with Montag became a central storyline. The couple wed in 2008 and have two children. They later appeared on I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here and the UK edition of Celebrity Big Brother.
Despite his fame, Pratt is a first-time candidate who faces long odds in a crowded field for June's non-partisan mayoral primary. Bass, who won the mayoralty in 2022 after defeating real estate developer Rick Caruso, is seeking re-election. More than a dozen other candidates have entered the race.
