> At a Glance
> – Spencer Pratt declared his candidacy for Los Angeles mayor on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire.
> – The Jan. 7, 2025 blaze destroyed 6,800+ structures, killed 12 people, and wiped out Pratt’s Pacific Palisades home.
> – Primary election is set for June 2; filing window opens Feb. 2-7.
> – Why it matters: Victims frustrated with city and state response see the race as a referendum on wildfire preparedness and leadership accountability.
Spencer Pratt, reality-TV veteran and outspoken survivor of California’s third-most-destructive wildfire, jumped into the 2025 Los Angeles mayoral contest Wednesday. Speaking at a “They Let Us Burn” rally organized by the Palisades Fire Residents Coalition, he framed his campaign as a mission to expose and overhaul City Hall.
From Reality Star to Reluctant Politician
Pratt, 42, rose to fame on The Hills and later competed on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here and Celebrity Big Brother. He and wife Heidi Montag have two children and documented the 23,700-acre Palisades Fire on the morning it ignited, sharing footage of flames and smoke before losing their own home.
> Spencer Pratt told supporters:
> > “Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”
He has repeatedly criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom and incumbent Mayor Karen Bass for what he calls inadequate wildfire preparation and response.
Crowded Field and Key Dates
The ballot already includes:
- Karen Bass, current mayor elected in 2022
- Austin Beutner, former LAUSD superintendent
- More than a dozen additional candidates
Important dates:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| First day to file candidacy | Feb. 2, 2025 |
| Last day to file candidacy | Feb. 7, 2025 |
| Primary election | June 2, 2025 |
Pratt’s entry underscores lingering public anger over the fire’s toll and the perceived slow pace of rebuilding and reform.
Key Takeaways
- Spencer Pratt is leveraging his celebrity platform to spotlight wildfire failures.
- The Palisades Fire destroyed 6,800+ structures and claimed 12 lives, fueling voter frustration.
- A wide-open primary field makes every contender’s narrative-especially one rooted in disaster survival-potentially decisive.
With filing deadlines days away, more candidates may emerge, but Pratt’s high-profile launch guarantees wildfire recovery will stay front-and-center in the race.
