Can a TV star beat a politician in LA?

Los Angeles voters face a big choice this year. The mayor’s race has turned into a messy three-way fight. Current leader Karen Bass is trying to hold on, but two challengers are breathing down her neck. Spencer Pratt, better known for his reality show antics, is one of them. His team claims his fame could help him win, even though LA voters usually pick experienced politicians. Bass has been under fire for how she handled recent wildfires, giving her opponents an opening to attack. Pratt isn’t the only name on the ballot. Another candidate, Nithya Raman, is also pulling in support. Polls show Bass ahead, but not by much. Nearly one in five voters still haven’t decided who to pick. Prediction markets, where people gamble on election results, give Bass a strong 70% chance to win. Pratt sits at 25%, while Raman trails behind. LA is a deep blue city, so any Republican would struggle here—even in a race without party labels.Pratt’s campaign has some famous friends, like Paris Hilton and Joe Rogan. But not everyone in Hollywood backs him. Some reality stars, including Lisa Rinna, have said they won’t vote for him. His ads haven’t helped either. One controversial spot showed him outside the homes of his rivals, including the trailer he lived in after losing his house in a fire. Bass and Raman called it creepy and manipulative. Pratt called their complaints "crazy" and accused them of using the wildfire for politics. What’s wild is how Pratt is mixing tech into his campaign. He’s using AI in his ads to stand out. But will that be enough? LA’s voters might not care about fame over experience. The city has always leaned left, and wildfires have made people question leadership. This race isn’t just about who wins—it’s about whether celebrity can beat politics in America’s second-biggest city.