Spencer Pratt failed to advance from the nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Los Angeles held on June 2, 2026. While Pratt, incumbent Karen Bass, and Nithya Raman were identified as the leading candidates in polling and media coverage, Pratt did not secure a spot in the next stage of the election.
The Los Angeles Mayoral Primary Results
The June 2, 2026, mayoral primary in Los Angeles was classified as a battleground election. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass sought re-election following a first term described by the Los Angeles Times as relatively drama-free. According to reporting by Julia Wick and David Zahniser, Bass appeared to be on a clear path to victory before the primary, as no major challengers emerged to contest her tenure.
Spencer Pratt, a media entrepreneur and former reality television personality, entered the race as a candidate. Throughout the campaign, Pratt’s background—including his time on the television show The Hills and his status as a political science graduate from the University of Southern California—drew significant media attention. Alongside Bass and Nithya Raman, Pratt was frequently cited as one of the primary figures in the race due to his visibility in polling and press coverage. Despite this, he did not proceed beyond the primary election.
Background and Campaign Context
Pratt’s candidacy was noted for his personal history, which included the loss of his home during the 2025 Palisades wildfire. His public profile as a media figure was a central component of his campaign identity, often linked to his previous appearances on reality programs such as Big Brother, Marriage Boot Camp, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. In early 2026, he released a book titled The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain.
The election remained nonpartisan, with 13 other candidates joining Bass, Pratt, and Raman on the ballot. While the primary served as the initial stage to narrow the field, the concentration of media focus on the three aforementioned candidates underscored the competitive nature of the race for the mayoral seat.
As of June 9, 2026, the focus in Los Angeles has shifted toward the candidates who successfully navigated the primary process. The election cycle continues to be monitored for its impact on city leadership, with the outcome of the primary confirming that Pratt will not be the next mayor of Los Angeles. The official results and the specific vote tallies remain the definitive metrics for the next phase of the municipal transition.
:upscale()/2021/08/25/807/n/1922283/b8ba9f37e0cc6e64_Spencer_Teaser.jpg "Background and Campaign Context")
The primary process, mandated by the city charter, required candidates to reach a specific threshold to avoid a general election runoff. In the weeks leading up to June 2, political analysts noted that the inclusion of high-profile media figures in municipal races created a distinct dynamic for voters accustomed to traditional political backgrounds. Pratt’s campaign utilized his existing digital platforms to communicate with a voter base that extended beyond traditional local political engagement. His supporters often cited his outspoken nature and his willingness to challenge established bureaucratic norms as primary reasons for their alignment with his platform.
Following the conclusion of the primary, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office continued the systematic processing of ballots. The verification process, which includes mail-in and in-person voting data, serves as the final arbiter of the primary standing. Candidates like Bass and Raman, who moved through the process, have begun adjusting their platforms to address the specific concerns identified by the electorate during the primary phase. These concerns included housing affordability, infrastructure maintenance, and public safety within the city limits.
The departure of Pratt from the race leaves a void in the campaign discourse that many observers suggest will be filled by the remaining contenders as they prepare for the subsequent stages of the electoral cycle. The Los Angeles mayoral race remains subject to the city’s complex election laws, which ensure that the transition of power or the continuation of an incumbent’s administration is handled through a structured, transparent, and public-facing process. With the primary results now largely established, the city’s political machinery is turning toward the next operational phase of the 2026 municipal election, focusing on the specific policy debates that will define the remainder of the contest.
