Former "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Rinna said she will not support reality TV personality Spencer Pratt in his bid for Los Angeles mayor, telling Variety at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas that voters should avoid putting another reality star into public office.
Pratt, who gained fame through MTV's "The Hills," entered the nonpartisan mayoral race in January against Democratic incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. He has criticized Bass's leadership during the Palisades wildfires last year and raised concerns about homelessness and public safety in the city.
What the Right Is Saying
Some conservative commentators and Pratt supporters frame his candidacy as a legitimate expression of civic engagement by an Angeleno frustrated with current leadership. They note that voter frustration with homelessness and wildfire response has created openings for nontraditional candidates regardless of party affiliation.
"People are angry, and they're looking for someone who isn't part of the political class," said one Republican commentator supportive of anti-establishment candidacies. "Spencer Pratt is speaking to real concerns that incumbents have failed to address."
Pratt has stated he entered the race as a Republican because of threats he received during his reality TV fame, and said his security team advised him to purchase a firearm for protection.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic strategists and some progressive voices have largely echoed Rinna's sentiment, arguing that Los Angeles faces complex urban challenges requiring experienced leadership rather than celebrity branding. Supporters of Mayor Bass point to her handling of multiple crises during her tenure as evidence of the need for seasoned political expertise.
"We have real problems in this city — housing, infrastructure, public safety," said one Democratic strategist who spoke on background. "These aren't reality TV plotlines. They require people who understand governance."
Pratt has also faced criticism from some Republican observers who argue his candidacy undermines the party's chances of winning in a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor since Richard Riordan in 1993.
What the Numbers Show
Los Angeles has not elected a Republican mayor since Richard Riordan left office in 1997. The city has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988, with Biden winning about 71 percent of the LA County vote in 2020. Mayor Bass won her 2022 race with approximately 51 percent of the vote against developer Rick Caruso.
Pratt's candidacy remains a long-shot in a heavily Democratic city, though his celebrity recognition could differentiate him from typical unknown challengers.
The Bottom Line
Rinna's comments highlight the ongoing debate about reality TV figures entering politics, particularly following President Trump's path from "The Apprentice" to the White House. Whether Pratt can translate his name recognition into electoral support in a city that hasn't backed a Republican in three decades remains to be seen. His candidacy may serve primarily to draw attention to issues like homelessness and emergency preparedness rather than pose a serious threat to Bass's reelection prospects.