Spencer Pratt Gains L.A. Mayoral Traction at 3-Candidate Debate as June 2 Primary Nears
Updated
Updated · The Atlantic · May 12
Spencer Pratt Gains L.A. Mayoral Traction at 3-Candidate Debate as June 2 Primary Nears
4 articles · Updated · The Atlantic · May 12
Three candidates made last week’s televised debate, and Spencer Pratt emerged with fresh momentum by presenting himself as the lone outsider against Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman.
Pratt, 42, kept his message tightly local—fire preparedness, crime, homelessness and misspent funds—while Bass and Raman spent much of the debate attacking each other’s records.
His campaign has leaned on his personal story after the 2025 Palisades Fire destroyed his $2.5 million home, using ads that contrast his losses with Bass and Raman living far from the city’s disorder.
That populist energy is also a risk: Pratt has reposted viral outside ads praised by Republicans including Ted Cruz and Matt Gaetz, even as supporters warn Trump-linked culture-war messaging could repel the undecided voters he needs.
The opening for Pratt comes from broad frustration with Los Angeles governance, with Bass and Raman themselves acknowledging weak oversight and corruption risks in homelessness spending worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
With billions in untraceable funds, can a political novice bring real accountability to Los Angeles City Hall?
After losing his home to fire, can an outsider mayor solve LA's wildfire and homeless crises?