LOS ANGELES — Reality television personality Spencer Pratt finished third in the Los Angeles mayoral primary and failed to advance to the November runoff, according to election results released this week.
Pratt, best known for his role on MTV’s “The Hills,” received about 25.8% of the vote in the June 2 primary, placing behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman. With most ballots counted, Bass led with approximately 34.3% and Raman secured second place with around 28.5%, advancing the two to the general election on Nov. 3, the Associated Press reported.
Pratt announced his candidacy in January 2026, one year after losing his home in the Pacific Palisades fire. The registered Republican positioned himself as an outsider focused on public safety, accountability and criticism of the city’s response to homelessness and wildfires. His campaign gained attention through social media, supporter-generated AI videos and celebrity endorsements, including from podcaster Joe Rogan.
Early vote counts on election night showed Pratt in a strong position for second place. However, as mail-in ballots processed over subsequent days, Raman overtook him by more than 20,000 votes. California’s vote-by-mail system allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive later, contributing to the extended count.
Pratt’s bid drew both support and skepticism. Supporters viewed his campaign as a fresh challenge to established politicians, while critics highlighted his lack of government experience. Election officials have reported no evidence of irregularities in the counting process.
A campaign representative for Pratt said he appreciated the voters who backed his message. “We ran a campaign that spoke to real issues facing Angelenos,” the representative stated.
Bass and Raman, both Democrats, will now compete in the runoff for the nation’s second-largest city. The primary featured more than a dozen candidates, reflecting ongoing debates over housing, public safety and recovery from recent crises.
As of Tuesday, final certification of primary results remains pending in the coming weeks. Pratt has not publicly detailed his next steps following the outcome. City officials continue preparations for the November election.
