Reality television personality Spencer Pratt announced Wednesday his candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles, a move fueled by his criticism of the city’s response to the Palisades fire. Pratt lost his home in the blaze, which occurred one year prior to his announcement, and has since been a vocal critic of Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom.
A Campaign Born of Frustration
Pratt made his announcement at the “They Let Us Burn” event in Pacific Palisades, stating, “We’re going to expose the system. We’re going into every dark corner of L.A. politics and disinfecting the city with our light.” He has consistently blamed Bass and Newsom for the fire, which killed 12 people and burned more than 6,800 homes, through frequent posts on social media.
Pratt’s entry into the race adds another layer to an already developing field of candidates. Former L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner has also criticized Bass’ handling of the fire, arguing she has not taken responsibility for the city’s failures. Community organizer Rae Huang has similarly critiqued the mayor, accusing her of excessive finger-pointing.
Competing Candidates and Potential Entrants
The possibility of a second mayoral bid from real estate developer Rick Caruso, who lost to Bass in 2022, remains unclear. L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose district includes the affected areas, is also considering a run, stating she is “listening to a lot of the people who are encouraging me to get into this race.”
Horvath criticized the city’s handling of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s after-action report, alleging it was edited to downplay the department’s failures. Fire Chief Jaime Moore has since acknowledged the report was altered to soften criticism of LAFD leadership. Bass, while facing criticism, maintains she is working to restore the Palisades community and expedite rebuilding efforts, with permits issued for nearly 700 addresses as of Wednesday.
Bass’ campaign swiftly dismissed Pratt’s candidacy, characterizing him as a “reality TV ‘villain’” seeking publicity for an upcoming book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Spencer Pratt to run for mayor?
Pratt announced his candidacy following his dissatisfaction with the response to the Palisades fire, which destroyed his home. He has publicly blamed Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom for the disaster.
Who else is running for mayor of Los Angeles?
Currently, Austin Beutner and Rae Huang have announced their candidacies. L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath is also considering a run, and there is speculation that Rick Caruso may enter the race as well.
What has been the criticism of Mayor Bass regarding the Palisades fire?
Criticism has centered on her absence from the city while the fire ignited, issues with LAFD deployment, the empty state of the Santa Ynez reservoir, and concerns about the Fire Department’s handling of a related New Year’s Day fire.
As the mayoral race gains momentum, will the issues surrounding the Palisades fire continue to dominate the political conversation?
