On the one-year anniversary of the devastating Palisades wildfire, Los Angeles found itself thrust into the national spotlight for an entirely different reason: Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star best known for his appearances on "The Hills," announced his bid for mayor. The announcement, made on January 7, 2026, at a rally dubbed "They Let Us Burn!" marked a dramatic new chapter in the city’s already tumultuous political landscape, according to the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press.
Pratt, 42, is no stranger to the public eye. Alongside his wife, Heidi Montag, he climbed the ranks of reality television in the 2000s, becoming a fixture on shows like "The Hills," "I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here," and the British "Celebrity Big Brother." But the fire that swept through the Palisades on January 7, 2025, changed everything for him. The blaze, which killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures—including Pratt and Montag’s home—left him not just homeless but angry, and eager to hold city leaders accountable.
"Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action," Pratt declared at his campaign launch, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. "That’s why I am running for mayor. Let me be clear: This isn’t a campaign, this is a mission. We’re going to expose the system, we’re going into every dark corner of the city and disinfect it with our light, and when we are done L.A. is going to be camera-ready again."
The event itself, attended by supporters and curious onlookers, was as much a rally against city and state leadership as it was a campaign launch. Pratt has been an outspoken critic of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats, whom he blames for failing to prevent the wildfire and for what he describes as a lackluster response in its aftermath. According to the Associated Press, Pratt has not only voiced his frustration on social media but has also sued the city and campaigned against denser housing policies, which he claims exacerbate wildfire risks.
Pratt’s move into politics has been met with a mixture of skepticism and outright criticism. The Los Angeles Times notes that Mayor Karen Bass’s campaign was quick to dismiss his candidacy, with spokesperson Douglas Herman stating, "It’s no shock that in advance of his imminent book release, a reality TV ‘villain’ who once staged a fake divorce to boost ratings and spent the last summer spewing post-fire misinformation and disinformation to pump up his social media following, would now announce he’s running for mayor." The Bass campaign’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among establishment figures that Pratt’s campaign is more spectacle than substance.
Yet, Pratt’s candidacy is not without its backers. Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor, and Richard Grenell, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, both endorsed his run online. Grenell wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Spencer has the passion and the drive to make positive change for Los Angeles." The California Republican Party, which has not had any prior contact with Pratt about his candidacy, is now attempting to reach him, according to party spokesperson Matt Shupe. Municipal races in California are technically nonpartisan, but Pratt, as a Republican, faces an uphill battle in a city where Democrats dominate the electorate.
Pratt’s announcement was accompanied by a photo posted to X, showing him apparently filling out paperwork required to enter the 2026 mayoral race, with the caption, "It’s official." However, as of press time, the city Ethics Commission had not confirmed receipt of his filing, leaving some uncertainty about his official status in the race. Regardless, Pratt’s high-profile declaration has already shaken up the field.
If Pratt’s candidacy moves forward, he will join an already competitive race. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is seeking a second four-year term. Other notable candidates include Austin Beutner, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, and community organizer Rae Huang. The primary election is scheduled for June 2026, and the window for candidates to enter the race remains open through early February.
Pratt’s journey from reality TV personality to political hopeful is unconventional, but not entirely unprecedented in American politics. His public persona—equal parts brash and media savvy—has both helped and hindered his efforts to be taken seriously. Since the fire, Pratt has leveraged his platform to draw attention to what he sees as systemic failures in city governance, particularly in emergency preparedness and housing policy. He has used social media to rally supporters, but also to push back against efforts to increase housing density, a contentious issue in Los Angeles where debates over development and wildfire risk often intersect.
Despite his celebrity status, the odds are stacked against Pratt. As the Associated Press points out, Los Angeles is a heavily Democratic city, and Republican candidates face significant challenges in garnering broad support. Pratt’s critics accuse him of using the campaign as a publicity stunt, especially given the timing of his announcement and his history of controversial media antics. Yet, his supporters argue that his outsider status and willingness to challenge the status quo are exactly what the city needs.
The Palisades wildfire remains a raw memory for many Angelenos. The fire’s toll—12 lives lost and thousands of homes destroyed—has cast a long shadow over the city’s political discourse. Pratt’s campaign is rooted in that tragedy, and he has made it clear that his run is about more than just politics. "This just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission. And we are going to expose the system," he reiterated at the anniversary rally, according to the Associated Press.
As the race for mayor heats up, all eyes are on whether Pratt can translate his notoriety into political momentum. The coming months will reveal whether his message resonates with voters or if, as many predict, his campaign will fade into the background of Los Angeles’s ever-colorful political scene. For now, Spencer Pratt’s entry adds a new layer of intrigue to a city already defined by reinvention and spectacle.