Spencer Pratt, a reality television personality best known for his role on 'The Hills,' has emerged as an unexpected contender in the Los Angeles mayoral race, drawing support from a roster of well-known entertainers and media figures. The Republican candidate running as an independent faces incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Democratic Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the June 2 primary election.

Pratt's candidacy gained traction after videos of him speaking at the site of his burned-down Pacific Palisades home went viral, with the reality star promising to help rebuild Los Angeles following the devastating California wildfires. Despite his growing list of high-profile supporters, Pratt has said celebrity backing is not his priority. 'I actually don't want celebrities to come out and endorse me,' he said during an interview on 'Gutfeld!' earlier this year, adding that he seeks endorsements from 'the moms and the animal lovers in L.A.'

What the Left Is Saying

Pratt's Democratic opponents have not directly responded to requests for comment regarding his celebrity endorsements. However, critics of Pratt's candidacy argue that a reality television star lacks the governmental experience needed to address Los Angeles' pressing challenges, including homelessness, housing costs, and infrastructure improvements.

Randy Quaid, who has endorsed Pratt, was previously critical of Mayor Bass for traveling to Ghana as wildfires erupted in January. The actor also criticized city leaders over water shortages, budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department, and what he characterized as an inadequate response to the wildfire crisis.

Progressive commentators have noted that Pratt's debate performance surprised many observers, with some Democrats privately acknowledging concern about his ability to connect with voters frustrated by perceived municipal mismanagement. The candidate has positioned himself as an outsider promising 'common sense' governance at City Hall.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative supporters have praised Pratt for what they describe as a compelling debate performance against two established Democratic politicians. Actor James Woods wrote on X that Pratt was 'surprisingly effective, direct, polite, and prepared,' while criticizing Bass and Raman by writing, 'The other two have history as their enemy because everything they've done has been a catastrophe.'

Billy Bush, host of 'Hot Mics,' said after the May 6 debate that Pratt 'won that debate flat out' and described him as 'relatable' and 'likable.' Bush noted that Pratt doesn't represent 'MAGA' but appeals to voters who are 'had enough of mismanagement in our government.'

Meghan McCain, conservative commentator and daughter of the late Sen. John McCain, called Pratt's debate performance 'the blueprint' for how 'older millennials need to communicate and present their ideas and campaign messaging when running for office,' describing his performance as '10/10 no notes.'

Comedian Adam Carolla, who describes himself as a libertarian, has repeatedly endorsed Pratt. During an April episode of 'The Adam Carolla Show,' he wrote on Instagram that Pratt had his 'full endorsement for mayor!' The comedian previously supported Andrew Yang's Democratic primary run in the 2020 presidential election.

What the Numbers Show

Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States with a population exceeding 3.8 million residents. Under California law, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win outright; otherwise, the top two contenders proceed to a runoff election typically held several weeks later.

Pratt has attracted significant media attention despite polling data not being publicly available in the source material. His campaign has received donations from notable figures including singer Katharine McPhee and her husband David Foster, who hosted a fundraiser at their Brentwood Park home where McPhee serenaded Pratt with a modified version of Tina Turner's 'The Best.'

Joe Rogan, the world's most listened-to podcaster with an estimated audience in the tens of millions per episode, told Pratt during an April 15 appearance on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' that he would vote for him if eligible. Rogan noted he relocated from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas in 2020 but said, 'If I lived in Los Angeles, no question whatsoever, I would vote for you.'

Pratt's former 'The Hills' co-star Kristin Cavallari described his mayoral run as 'f---ing genius' during her April podcast, praising him as an outsider who will 'call out the corruption.' She cannot vote as a Tennessee resident but encouraged Los Angeles voters to support him.

The Bottom Line

Pratt's candidacy represents an unusual intersection of celebrity culture and municipal politics in America's second-largest city. His ability to translate viral moments and celebrity endorsements into actual votes will be tested at the ballot box on June 2. Whether his outsider status and high-profile backing can overcome his lack of governmental experience remains to be seen. If no candidate receives a majority, Los Angeles voters would likely face a runoff between the top two finishers weeks later.

The outcome could provide insight into how celebrity-backed candidacies perform against established politicians in major urban centers, particularly when framed as anti-establishment alternatives amid voter frustration with municipal leadership.