Spencer Pratt, reality TV star and former “The Hills” cast member, has shaken up Los Angeles politics with a bold announcement: he’s running for mayor.
This news comes just one year after the wildfires that devastated California, including the destruction of his own home in Pacific Palisades.
At 42, and with wife Heidi Montag by his side, Pratt made his intentions clear while attending the “They Let Us Burn!” protest in the Palisades on January 7, 2026.
A Broken System: Pratt’s Call for Change
Pratt didn’t mince words when it came to his reasons for running.
He described Los Angeles as a city with a “broken” system, one that prioritizes the elite while ordinary citizens face the devastating consequences.
According to Pratt, the current structure protects those in power and their allies while leaving residents to “drown in toxic smoke and ash.”
He made it clear that this isn’t just a political campaign—it’s a mission.
Pratt’s frustration with the government’s handling of the wildfires was palpable, as he claimed the system allowed the disaster to unfold without accountability.
“They intentionally let us burn before, during, and after,” Pratt declared, demanding justice for the negligence that led to the tragedy.
A Personal Loss: The Fire That Destroyed His Home
The fires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles in 2025 were particularly devastating for Pratt and Montag, who saw their home reduced to rubble.
Their Pacific Palisades residence, where they lived with their two young sons, was flattened by the flames.
Pratt, visibly shaken, was seen sorting through the ashes, hoping to find any remnants of personal significance, including crystals or family mementos. ]He even took a photo of a burnt tricycle that once belonged to his child, a haunting symbol of the loss they endured.
While Pratt navigated the grief of losing his home, his wife Heidi Montag also spoke candidly about their experience.
In emotional TikTok videos, Montag shared the pain of watching everything they had worked for go up in flames.
“Sad our house is gone,” she sobbed, holding her son close for comfort.
Though devastated, Montag found solace in the love of her family, even managing to smile through her tears as she expressed gratitude for the support they had received.
Bagels and Shock: A Glimpse into Pratt’s Grief
In the midst of the chaos, Pratt tried to find some normalcy, humorously turning to bagels as a source of comfort.
“When your house burns down, and you have nothing…there’s only one thing that can maybe make you feel better—a bag of bagels!” he joked on social media, acknowledging that his behavior was likely a result of the shock he was experiencing.
His candidness about being in “shock” resonated with followers who sympathized with his overwhelming situation.
Pratt wasn’t the only one to suffer; his parents also lost their home to the fire.
In a heart-wrenching Instagram post, he shared a photo of their destroyed property with a simple, emotional caption: “My parents house gone,” accompanied by crying emojis.
This compounded the personal trauma he was already facing.
A Community in Ruins: The Aftermath of the Wildfires
The 2025 Pacific Palisades fire caused widespread destruction, with nearly 7,000 homes and businesses affected.
The fire, which burned for over a month, claimed the lives of 12 people and forced nearly 100,000 residents to evacuate.
Among those impacted were several other high-profile individuals, including Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and Tina Knowles.
In total, the fire caused an estimated $28 billion in damages, with the Palisades fire becoming one of the most devastating wildfires in recent history.
For Pratt, the emotional toll of witnessing the destruction was compounded by what he described as a lack of urgency from city officials.
He claimed that when he called 911 for help as the fire approached his home, he was told that there were no fire trucks available to assist.
“They never came,” he said, claiming that a single fire truck could have stopped the fire from spreading further.
This lack of response prompted Pratt and Montag to file a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in January 2026.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race 2026: A New Challenger Emerges
As the city gears up for the Los Angeles mayoral election on June 2, 2026, Pratt’s announcement adds a new layer of intrigue to the race.
Current mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for her handling of the wildfires, and many residents are frustrated by the city’s lack of preparation and response to the natural disasters.
While Pratt has not yet revealed which political party he aligns with, his decision to run for office comes at a time when many Angelenos are disillusioned with the status quo.
Pratt’s candidacy is likely to spark debate, with some questioning whether a reality TV star is equipped to handle the complexities of city governance.
However, given his experience with the media and his vocal criticism of the city’s handling of the fires, Pratt is positioning himself as someone who is willing to take on the establishment and fight for accountability.
A State of Emergency: The Blame Game
As Los Angeles continues to recover from the catastrophic wildfires, political figures like former President Donald Trump have weighed in on the disaster.
Trump has publicly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his handling of the wildfires, placing the blame squarely on Newsom’s shoulders.
Meanwhile, local residents, including Pratt, continue to demand answers about why the city wasn’t better prepared for such a devastating event.
With the future of Los Angeles hanging in the balance, the 2026 mayoral election could be a pivotal moment in the city’s recovery.
Whether or not Pratt can turn his frustration and personal loss into a successful political campaign remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his message is resonating with those who feel that the system has failed them.
The Road Ahead
As Pratt embarks on his mayoral campaign, Los Angeles residents are left to grapple with the aftermath of one of the most destructive wildfires in the city’s history.
While many have expressed hope that new leadership can bring about change, it remains to be seen whether Pratt’s outsider status and personal experience with tragedy will be enough to sway voters.
For now, Pratt and Montag are focused on rebuilding their lives and seeking justice for the devastation they experienced.
Whether or not their journey leads to City Hall, they’ve already proven that they’re not afraid to speak out and demand change when it matters most.
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