Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt has gone from The Hills villain to a serious contender in Los Angeles’ 2026 mayoral race. One year after losing his home in the devastating Palisades Fire, the 42-year-old launched a campaign centered on frustration with city leadership and wildfire recovery efforts. His candidacy has drawn national attention not only because of his celebrity status, but also because of questions surrounding his political identity.
With Pratt emerging as one of the top finishers in the primary and likely headed to a runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, many are wondering where he stands politically. Below, learn more about Pratt’s party affiliation and mayoral campaign.
Who Is Spencer Pratt?
For those who don’t watch reality TV, Pratt is known for starring in The Hills, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Big Brother U.K. and several other shows. He earned a reputation for being a reality TV “villain.”
Pratt is married to fellow reality TV personality Heidi Montag. The couple have been married since 2008.
Long before his mayoral campaign, Pratt studied political science at the University of Southern California.
Is Spencer Pratt Running as a Republican or a Democrat?
Technically, neither. Los Angeles’ mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run under a party label. However, Pratt’s political affiliation became a major topic during his 2026 campaign as he emerged as one of the race’s leading candidates.
Throughout much of the campaign, Pratt described himself as a nonpartisan “community advocate” and emphasized that he was not backed by a political party. Although he voted for Donald Trump in 2024, he repeatedly argued that his campaign was focused on local issues rather than partisan politics.
“All my supporters in Los Angeles are Democrats,” Pratt previously told CBS. “Everyone I know, my family, are all Democrats.”
In a separate interview with NBC Los Angeles, Pratt said, “When you vote for Spencer Pratt on your ballot today or tonight, it’ll say Spencer Pratt, community advocate, because that’s how I identify. I do not represent a party. I don’t have a campaign manager. I don’t have campaign consultants. There’s no political party backing me.”
However, Pratt later confirmed that he is a registered Republican. During a May 2026 CNN interview, he explained that his views on gun rights played a role in his decision to switch from Independent to Republican. Despite that affiliation, he has continued to frame his mayoral campaign as an independent movement rather than a partisan one.
Was Spencer Pratt Ever a Democrat?
According to Pratt, yes — he was a Democrat at one point but abandoned the party due to his views on guns.