Spencer Pratt, known for his past as a reality TV star, is now vying for the position of mayor in Los Angeles. His candidacy has drawn attention due to an unexpected endorsement from President Trump. This development might influence the city’s strongly Democratic voter base.
Democrats in the Los Angeles mayoral race have aimed to associate Mr. Pratt with President Trump. Their strategy hinges on Trump’s unpopularity among the city’s largely Democratic population. The endorsement now provides them with a distinct advantage.
During a press interaction on Wednesday, President Trump expressed his support for Mr. Pratt. Trump stated, “I’d like to see him do well,” while mentioning that Mr. Pratt is a strong supporter of the MAGA movement.
Los Angeles’s current mayor, Karen Bass, elected in 2022, faces challenges in her bid for re-election. Criticisms regarding her absence during the severe Los Angeles fires in January 2025 have affected her standing. Two other prominent candidates are in the race: Mr. Pratt, who lost his home to the fires in Pacific Palisades, and Nithya Raman, a liberal member of the City Council.
These candidates will compete in a primary election on June 2. If no contender secures more than 50% of the total votes, the top two candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, will advance to a runoff in the fall.
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, backing Ms. Bass, has invested $221,000 in an advertisement strategy. This ad attempts to boost Mr. Pratt’s appeal among Republican voters, rather than attack him. While Republican voters are fewer than Democratic ones in Los Angeles, consolidating their votes for Mr. Pratt could lead him to outperform Ms. Raman in the primary.
Political analysts suggest that this tactic might be aimed at ensuring Ms. Bass faces a non-Democrat contender in the general election.