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One day after the June 2 primary, with votes still being counted, the former reality TV star from The Hills sits in second place and advances to face incumbent Karen Bass in the general election. No candidate cleared 50 percent, triggering California’s top-two system and setting up a high-stakes November showdown.
Pratt, 42, went from reality TV villain to serious political contender in record time. His surge reflects deep voter frustration with homelessness, wildfire response, and city leadership. The man once known for manufactured drama on MTV now channels real personal loss into a mission to fix Los Angeles.
The Numbers That Made It Official
With roughly 63 percent of votes counted as of early June 3, the results paint a clear picture:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Bass (incumbent) | 172,720 | 34.8% |
| Spencer Pratt | 151,149 | 30.4% |
| Nithya Raman | 110,848 | 22.3% |
Bass locked in first place early. Pratt held a solid lead over third-place finisher Nithya Raman for the second runoff spot. Projections from multiple outlets confirmed both Bass and Pratt move forward.
Pratt’s performance stunned political observers who underestimated the power of his celebrity, social media reach, and outsider message.
From Palisades Fire Victim to Candidate
Pratt’s entry into the race was deeply personal. His Pacific Palisades home burned to the ground in the devastating January 7, 2025 wildfire. Exactly one year later, on January 7, 2026, he announced his candidacy on the anniversary of that loss.
He sued the city and Department of Water and Power over the fire response and met with federal officials. That experience became the emotional core of his campaign. Pratt repeatedly ties city failures on emergency management, homelessness, and infrastructure directly to the pain he and his neighbors endured.
His wife, Heidi Montag, and their two children have stood beside him throughout. The couple, who became household names during their The Hills era and weathered tabloid storms for years, now navigate a very different spotlight.
Election Night Energy at Don Antonio’s
Supporters packed Don Antonio’s Mexican restaurant in West Los Angeles on primary night. Comedian Adam Carolla and radio host Billy Bush showed up. Pratt arrived confident and told reporters he felt “excellent.”
As results rolled in and Bass secured her spot, Pratt stepped outside, swarmed by cameras and cheering backers. He didn’t hold back.
“I literally could not be more excited,” he said. “I got in this because as a citizen I felt like my city failed myself, my neighbors, my family.” He blasted potholes, open drug use in parks, and promised multiple debates with Bass. Then came the memorable closer: “Well, obviously God wanted five more months of me exposing all the failures of our mayor, so it’s gonna be a fun ride. I hope she’s ready.”
That unfiltered style has defined his run. Viral ads, blunt criticism, and constant social media engagement turned a long-shot bid into a genuine threat.
What Pratt Actually Stands For
Pratt’s platform reads like a direct response to problems he says the current administration has ignored:
- Treatment-first approach to homelessness that addresses addiction and mental health instead of just temporary housing.
- Increased LAPD funding and stronger enforcement against street takeovers and crime.
- Emergency readiness reforms after his own experience with the Palisades Fire.
- Fiscal audits and accountability for how tax dollars are spent on homelessness programs.
- Infrastructure fixes and quality-of-life improvements.
He has raised over $3.2 million, outpacing expectations and building a war chest for the runoff. Endorsements from Donald Trump, Joe Rogan, and other high-profile names helped fuel momentum. His Instagram account, with more than 2 million followers, now operates openly as a campaign tool.
The Reality TV Villain Angle Meets Real Politics
Pratt’s past as the notorious The Hills antagonist still follows him. He and Montag were tabloid fixtures for years. He even published a 2026 memoir titled The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain.
Yet that same fame gave him instant name recognition and a built-in audience hungry for disruption. In a city exhausted by the same political class, his lack of traditional experience became an asset rather than a liability. Supporters see authenticity. Critics see a publicity stunt that somehow caught fire.
The contrast creates constant media fodder. One minute he’s talking crystal collections and reality TV excess from his younger days; the next he’s dissecting city budgets and challenging the mayor to weekly debates.
What Comes Next
The November 3 runoff will test whether Pratt’s momentum holds or if Bass’s institutional advantages and fundraising network carry the day. Early runoff polling showed Bass favored, but primaries have already proven the race is far from predictable.
Pratt has already signaled he wants a long, aggressive campaign. Expect more viral content, pointed attacks on city failures, and relentless pressure on Bass to debate. Los Angeles voters will decide whether the outsider energy that carried him this far can actually deliver change.
