How Spencer Pratt climbed from reality TV villain to LA mayoral candidate challenging Karen Bass

Spencer Pratt is frequently referred to as “reality TV star-turned mayoral candidate,” but the Los Angeles native and longtime entrepreneur is far more complex than the label press has imparted on him in 2026.

Political science graduate. Married father of two. World hunger advocate. Outspoken Pacific Palisades fire survivor. And Heidi Montage super fan … to name a few more descriptors.

Pratt has always been an early adapter of social media, and in 2018 he Won Snapchatter of the Year at the Shorty Awards.

On January 7, 2025, the Pratts lost the Pacific Palisades home they bought for $2.5 mil in 2017 in the wildfires that ravaged their neighborhood and Altadena, and he put his social media skills to work as an instant critic to the city and state’s governments.

He eventually sued the Department of Water and Power and the City of Los Angeles, even meeting with officials about investigating Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass.

Pratt also spent much of 2025 attending Hollywood events, often promoting Heidi’s music with his t-shirt choice, and clearly increasing his profile in advance of the release of his memoir, “The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain.”

Then, on the one year anniversary of the fires, he announced his mayoral campaign.

Pratt raised more than $500,000, collecting donations from the likes of Jeanie Buss and Katharine McPhee.

Spencer’s appearance in a televised debate against Karen Bass and Nithya Raman earned rave reviews and his campaign videos became viral sensations.

Clearly he is a man who knows politics, social media, and yes, how to market a villain.

The above episode of our series California Explained details the rise of Spencer Pratt the super villain of reality TV to Spencer Pratt the super villain of current Los Angeles Mayor Bass and California governor Gavin Newsom.

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