Los Angeles politics is heading into unfamiliar territory as grief from one of the city’s deadliest wildfires turns into a campaign issue. Spencer Pratt, a reality television star whose Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in last year’s catastrophic blaze, has announced that he will run for Mayor of Los Angeles in 2026, saying the disaster exposed deep failures in leadership that he can no longer ignore.
Pratt unveiled his decision on January 7, marking one year since the wildfire killed 12 people and wiped out more than 6,000 homes and buildings.
Speaking before residents who lost everything, he framed his entry into the race as a response to what he called official neglect before and after the fire — and a refusal to accept that such destruction should ever be considered normal.
Who is Spencer Pratt?
Spencer Pratt rose to fame in the mid-2000s as one of the most recognizable faces of MTV’s reality show The Hills. Known for his outspoken personality and headline-making presence alongside his wife Heidi Montag, Pratt built a career in reality television and media.
In recent years, his public image has shifted as he became a vocal advocate for wildfire survivors after losing his own home in the Palisades fire. That personal loss pushed him from television fame into civic activism, setting the stage for his mayoral run.
Why Spencer Pratt Says He Is Running for Mayor
On stage, Pratt made it clear that he has little interest in political conventions. He said Los Angeles leadership failed residents by ignoring warning signs before the wildfire and mishandling the response afterward.
“This isn’t a campaign, this is a mission,” he told the crowd. “We’re going to expose the system… and when we’re done, LA is going to be camera-ready again.”
Pratt said he is tired of what he described as “business as usual” in City Hall and argued that residents paid the price for government complacency. His remarks drew loud applause from attendees who said they still feel abandoned months after the disaster.
Anger at City, State Agencies Shapes His Campaign
Over the past year, Pratt has repeatedly criticized the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, state park officials, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Mayor Karen Bass. He claims overlapping failures across agencies worsened the wildfire’s impact and slowed recovery.
His campaign places wildfire prevention, emergency preparedness, and rebuilding transparency at the center — an approach that sets him apart from traditional candidates focused primarily on housing, homelessness, or crime.
Heidi Montag Stands Firmly Behind His Run
Pratt’s wife, Heidi Montag, also spoke at the rally, becoming emotional as she recalled neighbors, memories, and homes lost to the fire. She strongly defended her husband’s decision to enter politics.
She said she has watched him demand answers, challenge officials, and stand up for survivors when others moved on. “He’s not doing this to make friends,” she said, describing his run as deeply personal rather than political.
How His Entry Could Change the LA Mayor Race
Mayor Karen Bass has already announced her re-election bid. Other potential or confirmed contenders include former LA school superintendent Austin Beutner, housing-rights activist Rae Huang, and billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who narrowly lost to Bass in 2022 and remains closely involved in Palisades rebuilding discussions.
Political observers say Pratt may not need to win to have an impact. By keeping wildfire accountability front and center, he could force rivals to address uncomfortable questions about preparedness, infrastructure, and leadership failures.
A New Kind of Political Outsider
Pratt’s candidacy highlights a growing trend in American politics: celebrities and outsiders stepping in when public trust in institutions erodes. His run reflects a city still grappling with trauma — and voters searching for voices that sound less scripted and more raw.
Whether Spencer Pratt becomes mayor or not, his entry ensures one thing: the Palisades wildfire — and the anger it left behind — will not fade quietly from Los Angeles’ political conversation.
