He was a reality show villain. Can he be the mayor of one of America's largest cities?

June 2, 2026

Spencer Pratt, the 42-year-old former reality TV villain from MTV's "The Hills," has emerged as a surprisingly competitive Republican candidate in the Los Angeles mayoral race, polling at 22% behind Democratic frontrunners Karen Bass (26%) and Nithya Raman (25%). His campaign has gained momentum through social media presence and massive fundraising success, collecting $2. 7 million in recent weeks—roughly seven to ten times more than his opponents.

Who is affected

Spencer Pratt (Republican mayoral candidate and former reality TV star)
Karen Bass (current Los Angeles mayor and Democratic candidate)
Nithya Raman (city council member and Democratic candidate)
Los Angeles residents and likely voters
Victims of the 2025 Los Angeles fires, particularly those in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles homeless population (targeted by Pratt's proposed mandatory drug treatment)
Donald Trump (who commented on and endorsed Pratt's campaign)
Heidi Montag (Pratt's wife) and their two children

What action is being taken

Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles and actively campaigning
Pratt is fundraising, having raised $2.7 million between April 19 and May 16
Pratt is using social media, TikTok rants, AI-generated videos, and political advertisements to gain attention
Karen Bass and Nithya Raman are criticizing Pratt throughout the campaign
All candidates are competing in the non-partisan primary scheduled for Tuesday

Why it matters

This race matters because it demonstrates how celebrity status, social media influence, and entertainment value have become powerful forces in modern politics, potentially overriding traditional political experience and qualifications. The outcome will determine leadership of America's second-largest city, which faces significant challenges including homelessness, public safety concerns, and recovery from devastating fires. Pratt's success as a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic city (where 65% voted for Kamala Harris) would represent a dramatic political shift and could signal broader trends about voter frustration with establishment politicians. The race also tests whether voters prioritize entertainment and protest votes over governmental competence and experience in addressing complex urban problems.

What's next

The non-partisan primary vote takes place on Tuesday
If any candidate wins 50% or more of the vote, they will win the election outright
If no candidate reaches the 50% threshold, the top two candidates will advance to November's general election

Read full article from source: BBC