Heidi Montag among celebrities who lost homes in California fires
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag evacuated from their home and watched as flames overtook it on a security camera.
After a year of lambasting California officials over their response to the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires that consumed his and wife Heidi Montag’s Pacific Palisades home, Spencer Pratt wants to take charge.
The 42-year-old “The Hills” alumnus, podcaster and author on Jan. 7 announced his run for Los Angeles mayor, billing himself on his new campaign website as the “worst nightmare” for current Mayor Karen Bass, whom he’s frequently criticized on social media.
Pratt revealed the launch of his Pratt for Mayor 2026 campaign at the They Let Us Burn demonstration that took place in the Pacific Palisades to “demand accountability for a total breakdown in prevention, precaution and leadership.”
“Let me be clear; this isn’t just a campaign. This is a mission, and we’re going to expose the system. We’re going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting the city with our light. And when we’re done, LA is going to be camera-ready again,” he told the crowd, according to videos posted on social media.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) shared the clip and threw his support behind Pratt, writing in an X post, “@SpencerPrattcares deeply about his community. I’m glad he made the decision to run.”
In photos shared on social media, Pratt is seen signing a statement of understanding that is required to be eligible for candidacy.
The primary will take place June 2, with a general election on Nov. 3. Bass is seeking reelection, with challengers including Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner.
Spencer Pratt running for office a year after losing his home with Heidi Montag
Exactly a year ago, Pratt and Montag documented their family’s evacuation from their Palisades home on social media, sharing security camera footage that showed the fire approaching and engulfing their desk.
Across Los Angeles County, at least 100,000 other residents were also forced to flee their homes in the westside as well as in Altadena, more than 30 miles to the east, as the Eaton Fire tore through the San Gabriel Mountains. Authorities determined 31 people died in wind-driven blazes, though researchers estimate the tally from Southern California wildfire-related deaths between Jan. 5 and Feb. 1, 2024, is in the hundreds.
Pratt’s foray into local politics follows months of Pratt leveling accusations and various claims about the Palisades community’s nearby empty reserve, financial relief measures for victims and obstacles to rebuilding.
He and Montag often speak about their lives following the Palisades Fire, their gripes with local and state leadership and their findings related to the disaster on their podcast, The Fame Game with Spencer and Heidi.
Pratt, who starred on “The Hills” from 2007 to 2010, shares two sons – Gunner, 8, and Ryker, 3 – with Montag, his wife of nearly 17 years.
His recent reality TV appearances include the first season of E!’s “House of Villains,” a short-lived stint on “The Masked Singer” and the Hulu competition show “Got to Get Out,” in which he came out as one of the more than a dozen prize pot winners.