Spencer Pratt’s unconventional campaign for Los Angeles mayor is gaining new attention as a senior California Republican says the former reality TV star is resonating with frustrated voters in the heavily Democratic city.
Rep. Darrell Issa said Pratt is connecting with Los Angeles residents by focusing on public safety, homelessness, wildfire recovery and basic city management.
Issa argued that Pratt’s message is reaching voters who may not normally support a Republican because they are frustrated with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
“He’s catching fire among ardent historic Democrat voters because Karen Bass has been so ineffective,” Issa said.
TRENDING TODAY
Pratt, best known for his role on The Hills, entered the mayoral race after sharply criticizing Bass over the response to devastating wildfires that destroyed more than 18,000 structures, including his Pacific Palisades home.
He has also attacked the city’s handling of homelessness, drug addiction, crime and street conditions.
The race is technically nonpartisan, but Pratt is a registered Republican running in a city where Democrats heavily outnumber GOP voters.
Bass-aligned groups have already used Pratt’s party affiliation against him in campaign ads.
Pratt has tried to keep the race focused on local issues rather than national politics.
In a recent interview, he said Los Angeles voters care more about safety and quality of life than partisan labels.
He argued that residents want clean streets, fewer encampments and a city government that responds more effectively to crises.
Issa compared Pratt’s potential appeal to former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, a Republican who won office in the 1990s despite the city’s Democratic lean.
Riordan was the last Republican elected mayor of Los Angeles and won a second term in 1997.
Issa said Riordan succeeded by running on common-sense leadership and improving city management, a model he believes Pratt is trying to follow.
Pratt is running against Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the June 2 primary.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a November runoff.
Recent polling has shown the race tightening, with Bass, Pratt and Raman all competing for a place in the runoff.
Bass still has support from major Democratic figures, including Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
But Pratt’s campaign has gained attention online, especially among voters angry about wildfire response, homelessness and the pace of recovery in damaged neighborhoods.
The mayoral race is now becoming a test of whether frustration over local conditions can overcome party registration in one of America’s most Democratic cities.
Why It Matters
Pratt’s rise shows how anger over homelessness, crime and wildfire recovery could reshape Los Angeles politics. Even in a deep-blue city, voters frustrated with local government may be open to an unconventional candidate if the race stays focused on quality-of-life issues.
What Comes Next
The June 2 primary will determine whether Pratt can turn online momentum and voter frustration into enough support to reach a runoff. If he makes the top two, the race could become a national symbol of backlash against big-city Democratic leadership.
Pratt said his campaign began after losing everything in the fires and argued his message is resonating with Los Angeles voters frustrated by city leadership.
Spencer Pratt schools NBC reporter who wants to know if he’s running for LA Mayor just to promote his “brand.”
Reporter: “Man, your brand is hotter than ever!”
Pratt initially talks about getting in the race after losing everything in the fires.
But then he gets to the… pic.twitter.com/SrDMy7zyR0
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 29, 2026
