John Putnam, president of Putnam Brands & Putnam Accessory Group and a former candidate for Santa Monica City Council in 2024, told Fox News Digital that Spencer Pratt's surge in the Los Angeles mayoral race reflects deep voter discontent over crime, homelessness, and the economic climate in California.
"I think a lot of people are concerned about what's happening, they really don't know how to fix this, and I think the crime, the homelessness, the addiction, all the above behaviors of what's happened in our city as politicians that are causing this," Putnam said. He added that Pratt's straightforward delivery of issues is resonating with voters who feel current leadership has failed.
Putnam noted that while Santa Monica does not vote directly for LA mayor, the winner's policies will have a "trickle down" effect across Los Angeles County. His company, based near downtown Los Angeles, has operated for 40 years, and he described the business environment as being significantly impacted by crime, homelessness, and regulatory costs.
Pratt entered the mayoral race on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades fire that destroyed his home. The January 2025 wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades killed 31 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures. Putnam said the fires and criticism of Mayor Karen Bass's preparedness and response remain "definitely a point of every conversation" with residents as rebuilding efforts continue.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of Mayor Karen Bass point to data indicating specific violent crime categories have declined in Los Angeles. City officials have emphasized investments in homelessness services, mental health crisis response teams, and community policing initiatives implemented under Bass's administration.
Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who is also running for mayor on a progressive platform, has advocated for addressing root causes of homelessness through affordable housing development and substance abuse treatment programs rather than punitive approaches. Her campaign has focused on systemic solutions to the city's challenges.
Progressive advocates argue that characterizing Los Angeles as in crisis misrepresents the complex work being done at City Hall and note that business climate concerns reflect national economic trends, not local policy failures unique to California.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics of current LA leadership point to visible street conditions, small business struggles, and the wildfire response as evidence of municipal failure. Supporters of Pratt's candidacy argue that political outsiders offer better solutions than career politicians who have failed to address quality-of-life issues affecting residents and businesses alike.
John Putnam told Fox News Digital: "It costs so much to operate a business here. Out of 250 cities that were surveyed a few years ago, Santa Monica came in number one of being the most expensive place to do business." He added that creating safe, clean, and inviting environments is essential for economic vitality.
Pratt has accused current leadership of "criminal negligence" over fire response times and preparedness. His campaign messaging emphasizes accountability and change from established political figures who have governed Los Angeles for years.
What the Numbers Show
The January 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires killed 31 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures in one of the most destructive wildfire events in California history. Rebuilding has proceeded slowly, with community members reporting frustration over permitting delays and insurance disputes.
Crime statistics present a mixed picture: Los Angeles Police Department data shows certain violent crime categories have decreased year-over-year, while property crimes and retail theft remain elevated compared to pre-2020 levels. The perception gap between statistical trends and residents' lived experiences has emerged as a central tension in the mayoral race.
Santa Monica derives approximately 80% of its municipal revenue from visitors, according to Putnam's assessment, making tourism-dependent businesses particularly vulnerable to public safety concerns that discourage travel. A national business survey ranked Santa Monica among the most expensive cities for commercial operations, citing regulatory burden and tax costs as factors.
The Bottom Line
Los Angeles voters will choose between Pratt, Bass, and Raman in Tuesday's mayoral primary. The top two candidates advance to a general election.
The race reflects broader tensions between perceptions of urban decline and data-driven assessments of municipal performance. Business leaders like Putnam argue that regardless of statistics, the visible conditions on city streets are driving voters toward change-oriented candidates.
What happens next: If Pratt advances past Bass into the top two, it would signal significant voter appetite for anti-establishment leadership in California's largest city. The outcome will also test whether progressive incumbents can retain power by pointing to measurable progress or whether quality-of-life concerns override other political considerations.