Reality television personality Spencer Pratt is projected to finish in second place in the Los Angeles mayoral race as ballots continue to be counted, according to election projections.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass (D) is projected to lead the race, with Pratt emerging as the runner-up as the second qualifying position takes shape.
Under Los Angeles election rules, candidates compete in a nonpartisan primary where a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright.
If no candidate crosses that threshold, the top two finishers advance to a November runoff election.
Election projections indicate Bass will advance to the November election against Pratt, while City Council member Nithya Raman remains further behind as additional ballots are counted.
Pratt’s campaign has drawn national attention due in part to his background in reality television, where he appeared on MTV’s “The Hills.”
His entry into the race has been closely watched given his lack of prior elected office experience and his unconventional political profile compared to traditional candidates.
During the campaign, he has focused on issues including crime, homelessness, and city governance, often framing them as central challenges facing Los Angeles.
He has positioned his message around public safety concerns, city spending priorities, and dissatisfaction with the current direction of local leadership.
He has also referenced the 2025 Palisades Fire, which destroyed his home, incorporating his personal experience into broader campaign messaging about recovery, rebuilding, and emergency response planning.
The fire has been a recurring reference point in his public appearances and campaign communications.
President Donald Trump commented on the race, describing Pratt as a “big MAGA person,” according to the Daily Mail.
Los Angeles remains a heavily Democratic city, with county voter registration data indicating Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans, reflecting a long-standing partisan advantage in the region.
Despite that, the race has drawn attention due to voter dissatisfaction with city governance and ongoing concerns over housing and public safety.
Pratt has also faced scrutiny during the campaign regarding past media appearances, including comments made years ago on programs hosted by conservative commentator Alex Jones.
He recently expressed that those remarks do not reflect his current views.
Local reporting has also raised questions about his residency status, which Pratt has disputed, citing displacement following the wildfire.
Mayor Bass, a former member of Congress and former Speaker of the California State Assembly, has led the city through a term that included labor strikes, homelessness challenges, budget shortfalls, and wildfire recovery following last year’s Palisades Fire, according to CBS News.
She has emphasized efforts to reduce homelessness and stabilize city services during her tenure.
Bass has pointed to reductions in homelessness and improvements in city services during her administration.
She has also received endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Raman, a progressive Democrat and trained urban planner, has also been a leading candidate in the race.
She has proposed expanded rental assistance programs and increased shelter access, while criticizing aspects of the city’s encampment and housing policies.
Her campaign has emphasized structural reforms to housing and homelessness strategies.
As the counting process continues, election officials are preparing for final certification of the results once all remaining ballots are processed.
