Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is officially entering the political arena. Pratt, best known for his role on MTV’s The Hills, announced Wednesday that he is running for mayor of Los Angeles after losing his home in last year’s devastating Palisades Fire.

Since the wildfire, Pratt has emerged as a vocal critic of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, frequently calling out what he sees as failures in leadership and emergency preparedness. He formally launched his mayoral campaign during the “They Let Us Burn” event in Pacific Palisades, held on the one-year anniversary of the blaze.

The Palisades Fire ignited on January 7, 2025, after a smoldering New Year’s fire reignited amid powerful Santa Ana winds that reached speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. The fast-moving inferno tore through coastal canyons, burning more than 23,700 acres, killing 12 people, and destroying over 6,800 homes and buildings.

Pratt now joins a growing field of challengers in the Los Angeles mayoral race, including former LA Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner. Mayor Karen Bass has also announced she will seek re-election, setting the stage for a highly competitive and closely watched contest.