Reality TV personality Spencer Pratt is gaining unexpected traction in Los Angeles's mayoral race after a viral campaign ad, while high-profile donors, including Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, have contributed to his campaign.
Pratt's Viral Ad and Fundraising Surge
Pratt's 30-second ad, released Wednesday, depicts him as an outsider and wildfire victim, contrasting his living situation with those of Mayor Karen Bass and rival Nithya Raman. The ad has garnered over 8.6 million views on X as of midday Thursday. Prediction platform Polymarket suggests a tightening race, with Pratt at 20% odds, narrowly ahead of Bass at 19%, while Raman remains the frontrunner at 58%.
Since January, Pratt has raised nearly $540,000, slightly ahead of Raman's $530,000 during the April 18 filing period. Bass, however, leads in total cash on hand. A recent UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs poll found 40% of voters undecided, with Bass leading at 25%, followed by Pratt at 11% and Raman at 9%. The primary contest includes 14 candidates, with a potential runoff in November if no candidate secures a majority.
High-Profile Donors and Campaign Dynamics
Jeanie Buss, governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, donated the maximum allowed $1,800 to Pratt's campaign. While Buss has not publicly endorsed a candidate, the donation suggests notable support. Pratt's campaign has attracted attention despite his lack of political background, with fundraising outpacing Bass's over the same period. The race remains fluid, with a significant bloc of undecided voters and no candidate close to a majority.