Who Is Spencer Pratt? Inside the Former Reality TV Star’s Surprise Los Angeles Mayor Run
Spencer Pratt, best known for his breakout role on MTV’s The Hills, is back in the public spotlight in 2026 with an unexpected run for Los Angeles mayor. Pratt first became a reality TV figure during the network’s mid-2000s boom, when his highly publicized relationship with Heidi Montag and his feud with Lauren Conrad helped turn him into one of the era’s most recognizable personalities. Over the years, he and Montag remained a fixture in entertainment news through appearances on additional reality shows and a later return to MTV in The Hills: New Beginnings.
Pratt and Montag married in 2008 after dating on The Hills, first eloping in Mexico before holding a larger ceremony in Pasadena the following year. Despite years of public attention, breakup rumors and shifting media coverage, the couple has stayed together for nearly two decades and now have two sons, Gunner Stone Pratt, born in October 2017, and Ryker Pratt, born in November 2022.
Their lives changed dramatically in January 2025 when their Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the devastating Palisades fire. The loss became a turning point for Pratt, who began speaking more forcefully about Los Angeles leadership, wildfire recovery and the city’s broader challenges. In his view, the disaster exposed deeper problems in how the city is being run and inspired him to enter politics.
Pratt formally launched his campaign for Los Angeles mayor on January 7, 2026, marking the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed his home. Although the race is officially nonpartisan, Pratt is registered as a Republican and is challenging incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, along with city councilmember Nithya Raman, in a closely watched local election.
In announcing his bid, Pratt framed his campaign as a response to what he sees as failed leadership in Los Angeles. He has presented himself as a political outsider focused on wildfire recovery, homelessness, crime and public safety. His campaign messaging has been direct and often provocative, reflecting the outspoken style that made him famous during his reality TV career.
During the race, Pratt has also drawn attention for comments on gun rights, saying he became a gun owner after receiving death threats during the peak of his fame. He has called for more funding for the Los Angeles Police Department and increased police presence in schools. His campaign has continued to generate headlines through AI-generated videos, celebrity backing and a series of attention-grabbing interviews.
In May 2026, Pratt further fueled public discussion when he named Jesus Christ as his political role model and compared himself to former President Barack Obama, describing both as community advocates. The remarks added to the media fascination surrounding his unusual transition from reality television celebrity to candidate for one of the country’s most high-profile city offices.
