Reality television star Spencer Pratt’s unlikely journey from MTV fame to Los Angeles politics has officially come to an end.
After days of ballot counting, Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman secured enough votes to advance to the November mayoral runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, knocking Pratt out of contention. The result means the former star of The Hills will not become the next mayor of Los Angeles.
Pratt’s campaign captured national attention throughout the race. Known for his reality television career alongside wife Heidi Montag, he entered the mayoral contest following the devastating Southern California wildfires that destroyed his family’s Pacific Palisades home. He frequently criticized city leadership’s handling of homelessness, public safety, housing affordability, and wildfire preparedness.
For a time, it appeared Pratt might pull off one of the biggest political upsets in Los Angeles history. On election night, he held second place and looked positioned to advance to the runoff. However, as additional mail-in ballots were counted, Raman steadily gained ground before ultimately overtaking him.
According to the latest results, Bass received approximately 34.3% of the vote, Raman secured 28.6%, and Pratt finished with 25.8%.
Despite the loss, Pratt’s campaign proved that celebrity status can still attract significant voter attention in one of America’s largest cities. His social media-driven approach, viral campaign videos, and outsider message helped him become one of the most talked-about candidates of the election cycle.
Whether this marks the end of Pratt’s political ambitions remains unclear. But for now, Los Angeles voters will choose between Bass and Raman when they head to the polls in November.
Why People Were Paying Attention
Pratt’s candidacy resonated with many Angelenos frustrated by rising living costs, homelessness concerns, and dissatisfaction with city government. While critics questioned his lack of political experience, supporters viewed him as an outsider willing to challenge the status quo. His campaign generated widespread discussion online and helped transform a local mayoral race into a national headline.
