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The unexpected political surge of reality television personality Spencer Pratt hit a major roadblock on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Major media networks, including the Associated Press, projected that Pratt fell to third place in the primary election for Mayor of Los Angeles.
The updated ballot counts mean the former star of MTV’s The Hills will not advance to the high-stakes runoff election in November.
The June 2 primary election initially looked promising for Pratt.
On election night, he held a comfortable lead of over eight percentage points for the second-place spot, which would have secured his place on the November ballot.
His early success energized supporters at his election night party, which he hosted alongside his wife, Heidi Montag, at a popular Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles.
However, as election workers processed a massive wave of mail-in ballots over the following week, the numbers steadily shifted.
However city Councilmember Nithya Raman gradually closed the gap, ultimately overtaking Pratt on Sunday night to claim second place.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass maintained a commanding lead throughout the process, safely securing the top spot in the primary.
Spencer Pratt launched his campaign on January 7, 2026, exactly one year after losing his Pacific Palisades home in a destructive wildfire.
Running as a Republican in the non-partisan race, he quickly turned a standard local election into a national media spectacle.
After all he used his extensive social media experience to launch sharp attacks against city leadership, frequently referring to Mayor Bass as "basura" (the Spanish word for garbage).
During his campaign, Spencer Pratt focused heavily on public safety and homelessness.
He advocated for a massive funding increase for the Los Angeles Police Department and proposed a strict "treatment first" policy for unhoused individuals dealing with substance abuse.
His unconventional platform attracted high-profile support, securing campaign donations and fundraisers from notable entertainment figures like David Foster, Katharine McPhee, and Jeanie Buss.
