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Los Angeles just delivered one of the wildest political twists in years. Spencer Pratt, the 42-year-old reality star made famous on The Hills, finished second in Tuesday’s mayoral primary and punched his ticket to the November 3 runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
Early returns with more than 60 percent of votes counted showed Bass at 34.8 percent and Pratt at 30.4 percent. Progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman trailed at 22.3 percent. Nobody cleared the 50 percent threshold, so the top two head to a head-to-head battle in November.
The outcome left political insiders stunned and turned the race into national watercooler fodder overnight.
The Numbers That Flipped the Script
Pratt didn’t just sneak into second. He surged. Pre-election polls had him hovering around 22 percent while Bass and Raman traded slim leads. On election night the gap closed fast. Pratt’s strong showing in key areas and his ability to tap into raw voter frustration on homelessness, crime, and wildfire recovery turned the race on its head.
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Bass (incumbent) | 172,720 | 34.8% |
| Spencer Pratt | 151,149 | 30.4% |
| Nithya Raman | 110,848 | 22.3% |
These figures come from the latest tallies reported Wednesday morning. Mail ballots still being counted could shift the final margins slightly, but Pratt’s hold on second place looks secure.
From The Hills Villain to Serious Contender
Pratt announced his run on January 7, 2026 — exactly one year after the Palisades Fire destroyed his Pacific Palisades home. He sued the city and the Department of Water and Power, arguing their failures contributed to the destruction. That personal stake became the emotional core of his campaign.
He ran as the ultimate outsider: no prior elected office, a registered Republican in a nonpartisan race, and zero patience for what he called “business as usual.” His platform centered on redirecting homelessness funds toward mandatory treatment and enforcement, boosting LAPD resources, cracking down on street takeovers, and holding utilities accountable.
Supporters loved the directness. Critics called it simplistic. Either way, it connected with voters tired of incremental progress on issues that dominate daily life in Los Angeles.
Election Night Energy and the Reality TV Factor
At his watch party at Don Antonio’s in West Los Angeles, Pratt arrived smiling and told reporters he felt “excellent.” The vibe mixed classic campaign energy with the chaotic fun of a reality show reunion. Longtime fans of The Hills couldn’t stop posting memes about the guy once labeled the ultimate villain now potentially running the second-largest city in America.
Conservative voices cheered the upset potential. Others wondered whether the momentum would hold through a full runoff campaign. The cross-partisan curiosity only amplified the story.
Pratt is tapping into frustration with the state of the city and channeling broader dissatisfaction with quality-of-life issues.
That observation from pollster Douglas Schoen captured why a former reality personality became a legitimate threat.
What the Runoff Means for Los Angeles
Bass now faces the first serious runoff challenge for a sitting LA mayor since 2005. She’ll defend her record on homelessness initiatives and recovery efforts while Pratt hammers the message that the city needs decisive, outsider leadership.
Expect weekly debate challenges from Pratt, heavy social media warfare, and national media camped out in Los Angeles. The race already blends entertainment crossover with high-stakes local policy. How that plays out between now and November will say a lot about whether voter anger at the status quo is deep enough to hand City Hall to a political newcomer with a reality TV past.
One thing is certain: the Spencer Pratt LA mayor story is far from over.
