Kato Kaelin, who gained national recognition as a key witness during the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial, has thrown his support behind Spencer Pratt's campaign for mayor of Los Angeles, calling for leadership change in California's largest city.
Pratt, a former reality television personality from the MTV series 'The Hills,' is running as an independent against incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and progressive City Councilwoman Nithya Rahman. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday night.
"It's clear to me that Karen Bass did an awful job as LA Mayor during the 2025 fires," Kaelin told Fox News Digital, referring to criticism of Bass's response to devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena that killed more than two dozen people. "LA needs a change in leadership."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of Mayor Bass point to her policy priorities on homelessness and housing affordability as evidence of substantive governance rather than celebrity-backed critiques. Democratic strategists have argued that Pratt's status as a reality television personality makes him unqualified to manage a city of nearly four million people.
Bass has defended her record, noting investments in permanent supportive housing and her administration's response to multiple crises during her term. Supporters argue that governing Los Angeles requires experience navigating complex city bureaucracies, labor unions, and federal funding mechanisms that a political newcomer would lack.
"Political experience is a prerequisite to running for mayor of the second-largest U.S. city," one Democratic operative told Political Bytes, speaking on background. "This isn't a reality show."
What the Right Is Saying
Pratt's supporters argue that his outsider status is precisely what Los Angeles needs after years of traditional politicians failing to address homelessness, crime, and housing costs. The former 'Hills' star has positioned himself as someone unburdened by political debts who can bring fresh perspectives to City Hall.
"I relate to Spencer because he receives hate just because he was on a reality show and I was sometimes hated just for being a witness - vote Pratt!" Kaelin said, drawing parallels between their shared experiences with public scrutiny. "He brings energy and a different perspective."
Pratt is registered as a Republican but running without a party affiliation in the nonpartisan race. His campaign has attracted over a dozen celebrity endorsements, a strategy his team says amplifies his message to voters who may feel disconnected from traditional politics.
"Karen Bass has proven to be awful," Kaelin said of the incumbent. "Her agenda is not for the people of LA, she's proven it with policy regarding homeless and drug abuse on the streets."
What the Numbers Show
Under Los Angeles municipal election rules, the top vote-getters from Tuesday's primary will advance to a November general election unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, which would trigger an outright victory.
Kaelin cannot cast a ballot in the mayoral race because he resides outside Los Angeles city limits. "It shocks me that anyone would even consider voting for Bass," he said, despite his own ineligibility to participate in the election.
Bass finished second behind developer Rick Caruso in the 2022 mayoral runoff before prevailing in subsequent balloting. The LA Times editorial board, which previously endorsed Bass, has since called that endorsement a "mistake" citing perceived incompetence during the wildfires.
The 2025 wildfire season saw over two dozen fatalities in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods, with critics pointing to delayed emergency responses and questions about the mayor's availability during the crisis.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's primary will test whether Pratt's celebrity-driven campaign can translate into electoral support against an entrenched incumbent or whether voters prioritize governing experience. Bass faces both a challenge from her political left with Rahman's progressive candidacy and from the anti-establishment energy Pratt represents.
The outcome could reshape Los Angeles politics heading into 2027, with implications for how the city addresses its most pressing issues: homelessness, housing affordability, and climate resilience. Whether celebrity endorsements translate to actual votes remains to be seen in a municipal race where voter turnout traditionally skews toward older, more engaged residents.