A reality television personality has secured second place in the race for Los Angeles mayor, according to polling data released Friday by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Spencer Pratt, 42, garnered 11 percent support among potential voters in the survey, positioning him as the second-leading candidate behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, who holds 25 percent support. City Council member Nithya Raman currently ranks third with 9 percent backing.
The polling reveals significant volatility in the mayoral contest, with 40 percent of voters remaining undecided ahead of the June 2 primary election. This substantial bloc of uncommitted voters suggests the race remains fluid and competitive as candidates work to consolidate support in the coming weeks.
Pratt entered the political arena in January following the devastating Palisades fires that destroyed his family home one year earlier. The wildfires, which ravaged portions of California, served as the catalyst for his decision to pursue public office.
Speaking at a public demonstration on January 7, Pratt delivered pointed criticism of Los Angeles governance. "The system in Los Angeles is not struggling, it is fundamentally broken," he stated. "It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I am done waiting for someone to take real action."
The candidate framed his campaign as more than a traditional political bid. "That is why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just is not a campaign, this is a mission, and we are going to expose the system," Pratt declared.
Despite his polling performance, Pratt faces opposition from unexpected quarters. His sister, Stephanie Pratt, 39, publicly urged Los Angeles residents not to support his candidacy in February, despite acknowledging his advocacy efforts following the wildfires.
"Spencer has done great work for the palisades. But LA does not need another unqualified and inexperienced mayor," Stephanie Pratt wrote on social media on February 14. "A vote for him is a vote for stupidity."
In subsequent posts, she elaborated on her concerns about her brother's qualifications for leading a city of four million residents. "He is just trying to stay famous and sell his memoir don't be fooled," she wrote, suggesting that while she might support him as a hypothetical mayor of the Palisades specifically, she questioned his readiness to govern the entire city.
The mayoral race represents a critical juncture for Los Angeles as the city continues to address ongoing challenges related to wildfire preparedness, emergency response systems, and municipal governance. The election outcome will determine leadership direction as Los Angeles confronts these pressing issues.
With nearly two months remaining until the primary election and a substantial portion of the electorate undecided, the contest remains highly competitive. The UCLA Luskin poll suggests that voter sentiment could shift significantly as candidates intensify their campaigns and engage with constituents on key municipal issues.