Spencer Pratt Rejects GOP Labels Before L.A. Vote

Spencer Pratt, 42, says he’s being claimed by political tribes ahead of the Los Angeles mayoral election primary, insisting there’s “no R” or “no D” by his name. Registered as a Republican since 2020, Pratt says he aligned with the GOP over gun-safety concerns

When Los Angeles voters head to the polls for the mayoral primary on June 2. Spencer Pratt is facing the kind of scrutiny that never really lets reality-TV fame stay in the past. On Saturday. May 23. the 42-year-old fired back at questions about where his political loyalties “fit. ” arguing that campaign narratives are trying to pin him to a tribe.

“Everyone is trying to claim me for their tribe. There’s no R next to my name, there’s no D next to my name,” Pratt wrote via X. “I’m not part of a political party, because I hate politicians. I’m just Spencer. husband to Heidi [Montag]. father to Ryker and Gunner. and I’m a pissed off Angeleno who loves my city and is fed up with what corrupt politicians have done to her.”.

Pratt has been registered as a Republican since 2020. but he is technically running for Los Angeles mayor as an independent community advocate. His comments come after earlier questions about why he has aligned with the GOP in recent years. including an interview earlier this month with CNN’s Elex Michaelson.

Pratt said his political alignment traces back to the threats he received during his time as a “hated reality star.” He told Michaelson that the pressure escalated to the point where “they” told him to “get a gun.” He added that he felt L.A. was dangerous, so he chose to carry one. “My wife needed a gun,” he said.

Pratt also explained that he needed a Concealed Carry Weapon license to own a gun. and he insisted that “the only people that supported [those licenses] was the Republicans.” “That was what I aligned with. ” he wrote. “My safety. my family’s personal safety.” He went on: “I know people don’t like guns but when people are threatening your life and your own security tells you you need to have home protection. … Once you feel fear and it’s real, you want to protect your family.”.

The stakes are showing up clearly in how opponents paint him. Pratt’s two primary mayoral election opponents—Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman—have repeatedly described him as a “MAGA Republican” in campaign attack ads. President Donald Trump has also weighed in from the White House. On May 20, Trump told reporters, “I’d like to see him do well. He’s a character. ” adding. “I assume he probably supports me.” Trump added. “I heard he’s a big MAGA person. He’s doing well.”.

Pratt isn’t just trading barbs—he’s also trying to turn the campaign spotlight into proof that he can fight back in public. Earlier this month. he released a campaign ad filmed outside the homes of two opponents—Karen Bass and Nithya Raman—before the upcoming mayoral primary. The ad and the backlash around it have kept Pratt at the center of the race’s most personal exchanges.

Still, even as he faces labeling from both sides, his political experience is drawing its own criticism. Drew Carey. 68. recently weighed in on Pratt’s qualifications. writing via Threads on Friday. May 22: “Anyone who votes for. or endorses Spencer Prattfall for Mayor of LA needs to get their head out of their ass. I understand being angry/unsatisfied. but at least get behind someone competent and not some serial scammer without a soul or moral compass.” Carey then added. “F*** this guy already.”.

Pratt has also received public backing from numerous celebrities, including Meghan McCain, Erika Kirk, Kristin Cavallari, and Jax Taylor, among others.

With the primary coming fast, the numbers aren’t going his way. Per Newsweek’s election tracker, Pratt still trails Bass in most recent polls leading up to the mayoral primary.

Voters in Los Angeles will cast ballots on June 2. If no single candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two—regardless of political party—will advance to a runoff election on November 3.

Spencer Pratt Heidi Montag Ryker Gunner Los Angeles mayoral election Karen Bass Nithya Raman Donald Trump MAGA Republican GOP independent community advocate concealed carry Drew Carey Threads X June 2 primary November 3 runoff