Reality TV villain Spencer Pratt announces 2026 LA mayoral run after losing his home in the Palisades wildfire.
- May 23, 2026
AceShowbiz - Spencer Pratt initially rose to fame as a prominent figure during MTV’s reality TV surge, gaining widespread attention through his tumultuous relationship with wife Heidi Montag on the hit series The Hills. Known for his outspoken nature and headline-grabbing moments, Pratt has remained a public figure well beyond the show’s conclusion. Recently, he has sparked renewed interest by announcing his 2026 campaign for Los Angeles mayor following the destruction of his family’s home in the 2025 Palisades wildfire.
Spencer Pratt first made his mark on television when he joined The Hills in its second season, shortly after beginning his relationship with Heidi Montag. The reality series, which debuted in 2006, chronicled the lives of young adults in Los Angeles as they navigated friendships, careers, and romances. Pratt quickly became one of the show’s most polarizing figures, largely due to his rivalry with Lauren Conrad and his dramatic persona. The couple, nicknamed "Speidi," became tabloid staples and household names during the show’s run.
Following The Hills finale in 2010, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag continued their reality TV careers by participating in various programs, including I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and the UK edition of Celebrity Big Brother. They later returned to MTV for the reboot series The Hills: New Beginnings, which aired from 2019 through 2021, reconnecting with fans and reigniting public interest.
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag solidified their partnership when they eloped in Mexico on November 20, 2008. The couple subsequently hosted a larger wedding ceremony in Pasadena, California, in April 2009, which was televised on MTV. Despite enduring years of media scrutiny and rumors of separation, they have remained a stable couple for nearly twenty years, often sharing insights about their marriage and family life.
Their family grew with the birth of two sons: Gunner Stone Pratt, born in October 2017, and Ryker Pratt, who arrived in November 2022. Parenthood has been a significant part of their lives as they continue to navigate the public eye.
Tragedy struck in January 2025 when the couple’s Pacific Palisades home was destroyed by the massive California wildfires. This loss became a pivotal moment for Spencer Pratt, who publicly criticized the local government’s response and recovery efforts. The event motivated him to seek political office, aiming to influence change in the city that had deeply impacted his family.
On January 7, 2026, exactly one year after the wildfire disaster, Spencer Pratt officially launched his campaign for mayor of Los Angeles. Though the mayoral race is nonpartisan, Pratt is a registered Republican. He is challenging incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and progressive city councilmember Nithya Raman in what is considered one of the most closely watched local elections of the year.
Spencer Pratt has positioned himself as a political outsider dedicated to addressing critical issues such as wildfire recovery, homelessness, crime, and public safety. His campaign has drawn attention for his outspoken views on gun rights, including sharing that he became a gun owner after experiencing death threats during his reality TV fame. Additionally, he advocates for increased funding for the Los Angeles Police Department and calls for a stronger police presence in schools to enhance safety.
Throughout the campaign, Spencer Pratt has maintained a high profile with viral AI-generated videos, endorsements from celebrities, and provocative interviews. In May 2026, he attracted media buzz by naming “Jesus Christ” as his political role model and drawing parallels between himself and former President Barack Obama in terms of being community advocates.
From his early days as a reality TV villain to his current role as a mayoral candidate, Spencer Pratt continues to reinvent his public persona while focusing on transforming the city of Los Angeles in the wake of personal and communal adversity.