LOS ANGELES — Reality television personality Spencer Pratt announced Wednesday that he is launching a bid for mayor of Los Angeles, entering the race amid lingering anger and controversy surrounding last year’s devastating Palisades wildfire that destroyed thousands of homes and claimed 12 lives.
Pratt, a Republican best known for his role on the MTV reality series The Hills, said his decision to run was driven by what he described as systemic government failure before, during, and after the deadly blaze that swept through parts of Los Angeles on January 7 of last year. Pratt and his wife, Heidi Montag, lost their home in the fire, an experience he has repeatedly cited as a turning point in his political awakening.
“This just isn’t a campaign — this is a mission,” Pratt told attendees at a wildfire anniversary event on Wednesday. “And we are going to expose the system.”
The announcement came during a rally titled “They Let Us Burn!”, an event sharply critical of state and local officials’ handling of the wildfire. The gathering drew fire survivors, displaced residents, activists, and critics of California’s political leadership, many of whom continue to accuse authorities of failing to prevent or adequately respond to one of the deadliest fires in recent city history.
From Reality TV to City Hall Aspirations
Pratt rose to national prominence in the mid-2000s as a central figure on The Hills, a reality series that followed the personal and professional lives of young adults in Los Angeles. Known for his polarizing on-screen persona, Pratt remained a fixture in pop culture alongside Montag, whom he married in 2008.
In recent years, however, Pratt has sought to reinvent himself, using social media to comment on politics, government accountability, and housing policy. The wildfire, he has said, transformed his criticism into action.
“Watching everything we owned burn while politicians held press conferences and passed the blame — that changes you,” Pratt said at the rally. “This city deserves leadership that protects its people, not excuses itself afterward.”
Targeting California’s Democratic Leadership
Since the wildfire, Pratt has emerged as a vocal critic of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats. He has repeatedly accused their administrations of ignoring fire mitigation warnings, mismanaging emergency response infrastructure, and prioritizing political optics over public safety.
Pratt has claimed that years of neglected brush clearing, poor land-use planning, and insufficient investment in fire prevention contributed to the scale of the disaster. While state and city officials have defended their response and cited extreme weather conditions, Pratt and other critics argue those explanations fall short.
“The fire wasn’t just a natural disaster,” Pratt said. “It was a policy failure.”
In the months following the blaze, Pratt filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, alleging negligence related to fire preparedness and emergency response. The case remains ongoing, but it has further elevated his profile among fire survivors and residents frustrated with city leadership.
Opposition to Dense Housing Policies
Beyond wildfire prevention, Pratt has also used his platform to oppose efforts to increase housing density in Los Angeles, particularly in fire-prone hillside and coastal neighborhoods. He argues that aggressive upzoning policies increase population density in areas that are already vulnerable to evacuation bottlenecks and infrastructure strain during emergencies.
Through social media, Pratt has criticized state mandates aimed at easing housing shortages, claiming they prioritize development over safety and environmental considerations.
“You can’t keep packing people into high-risk zones and pretend everything will be fine,” he said. “That’s not progress — that’s negligence.”
Housing advocates have pushed back on such claims, arguing that Los Angeles’ affordability crisis requires bold solutions and that modern building codes can mitigate risk. Still, Pratt’s message has resonated with residents who feel caught between rising costs, wildfire danger, and limited government responsiveness.
A Populist Campaign Message
Pratt’s mayoral announcement positions him as an outsider challenging what he describes as a deeply entrenched political establishment. His rhetoric echoes populist themes, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and resistance to bureaucratic inertia.
“This city is run by insiders who don’t live with the consequences of their decisions,” he said. “I do. My neighbors do. The people who lost everything do.”
While Pratt has not yet released a formal policy platform, he has outlined several priorities, including expanded fire prevention funding, stricter oversight of emergency services, audits of city agencies, and limits on development in high-risk areas.
Political analysts note that Pratt’s celebrity status gives him immediate name recognition, but also raises questions about his ability to transition from media personality to executive leadership.
“Celebrity candidates can energize certain voters, but governing a city like Los Angeles is extraordinarily complex,” said one local political observer. “The challenge will be whether Pratt can translate anger and visibility into a credible governing plan.”
Reaction and Outlook
Initial reactions to Pratt’s announcement have been mixed. Supporters praise his willingness to confront powerful officials and speak bluntly about government failure. Critics argue he lacks experience and accuse him of exploiting tragedy for political gain.
Mayor Bass’ office declined to comment directly on Pratt’s candidacy but reiterated that the city has invested heavily in wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness since the Palisades blaze. Governor Newsom’s office has previously rejected claims of negligence, pointing to record funding for firefighting resources and climate resilience.
Despite skepticism, Pratt appears undeterred.
“I know what people will say,” he told the crowd. “They’ll say I’m just a reality star. But the reality is this: when the fire came, the system failed. And I’m not willing to stay quiet anymore.”
As Los Angeles continues to recover from the wildfire and prepare for future fire seasons, Pratt’s entry into the mayoral race adds an unconventional and emotionally charged dimension to an already complex political landscape.
Whether his campaign becomes a protest movement, a serious electoral threat, or something in between, Pratt’s message is clear: for him, the race for City Hall is personal.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
