Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, is currently a candidate in the race for Los Angeles mayor. His candidacy has taken a significant turn due to an unexpected endorsement. President Trump recently expressed his support for Pratt, remarking, “I’d like to see him do well. I heard he’s a big MAGA person.” This development is likely to be advantageous for his opponents in a city where Trump’s popularity is minimal among the primarily Democratic voters.

Democrats, particularly the two leading candidates opposing Pratt, have been actively attempting to link him to Trump. This connection could potentially harm Pratt’s chances of securing the mayoral seat in liberal Los Angeles.

The race has three primary candidates. Besides Pratt, who suffered the loss of his Pacific Palisades home in the January 2025 fires, Karen Bass and Nithya Raman are in the running. Bass, elected in 2022, faces criticism for her absence during the devastating fires. Both Bass and Raman, a liberal City Council member, are vying to consolidate support before the June 2 primary.

In the primary format, if no candidate surpasses 50% of the vote, the top two, irrespective of party affiliation, will face off in the fall. This scenario has the potential to set up a race between disparate candidates, depending on early voting trends.

There is notable political maneuvering occurring behind the scenes. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, which backs Bass, seems to be taking a strategic approach. They have reportedly spent $221,000 on advertisements to highlight Pratt’s profile among Republican voters. Despite Republicans being a minority in the city, a consolidated vote could edge Pratt ahead of Raman, advantageous for Bass.

Political analysts suggest such strategies aim to avoid Bass competing against another Democrat in the general election. This context underscores the complexities of political dynamics within Los Angeles, influenced heavily by national politics and voter perceptions.