Mauricio Umansky, the 56-year-old real estate executive and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality, told viewers on Live! With Kelly & Mark on September 28 that he’s seriously entertaining a run for mayor of Los Angeles. It wasn’t the first time he’d floated the idea—he first hinted at it during an August appearance on Tomi Lahren’s podcast—but this was his clearest public nod yet.
Mauricio said he’s a registered independent and framed his possible campaign as a business-minded effort to rescue L.A.’s reputation and functionality. “We need to take care of our people. There’s so many things to do in Los Angeles. It’s one of the greatest cities in the world, without question,” he told the show, putting the city’s problems and potential on equal footing.
He laid out a short list of priorities—tackling crime, addressing homelessness and bringing businesses back to the city. Mauricio’s pitch is straightforward: if you restore commerce, the tax base and services follow, and that helps solve other civic problems. It’s a classic SoCal blend of business-solution thinking and civic pride.
When asked about timing, he was clear-eyed about the logistics. If he moves forward, he said it would have to be “for the next race” — and that would require prepping The Agency, getting his personal life aligned, and building a campaign infrastructure well in advance.
Mauricio also talked about signing up for Special Forces, the tough military-style reality series, and how he brought his daughter Alexia along for the ride. He admitted to being a little impulsive about saying yes, then quickly pitching the idea to Alexia, who didn’t need much convincing.
“Watching her face those fears reminded me that grit isn’t born from privilege – it’s earned in the mud,”
He shared that both Alexia and younger daughter Portia, 18, have always had that adventurous streak. Mauricio affectionately described Alexia as “like my boy,” a nod to the close bond and the way she tackled challenges head-on during the series.
Mauricio was candid about the brutal conditions on the show—everything from primitive bathroom setups to terrifying animal encounters. He recalled tasks involving heights, claustrophobia, water, snakes and even King Cobras, and painted a vivid picture of grit under pressure.
Seeing Alexia come off a challenge smiling and then breaking down emotionally made him proud. He spoke about her resilience, grit and strength, noting how she pushed through fears and physical discomfort in ways that surprised even him.
Mauricio described how estranged wife Kyle Richards responded to the idea of him and Alexia doing Special Forces. At first, she thought he was “nuts” and worried he was putting their daughter at risk. That initial panic is a very relatable L.A. parent moment — celebrity status doesn’t change the instinct to protect.
But once Alexia committed, Kyle shifted gears and became a steady source of support for her. Mauricio said Kyle wasn’t thrilled in the background, but she offered Alexia the mental prep and encouragement she needed to succeed on the show.
Mauricio reflected on what the experience taught him as a father. He acknowledged that Alexia grew up in a privileged setting, yet stressed that privilege didn’t shield her from fear or hard work during the challenges.
He encouraged other parents to consider similar bonding experiences, noting how rare it is to watch a child confront real fear and return stronger. It was clearly an emotional, formative experience — the kind that shows a different side of a well-known Beverly Hills family.
Mauricio’s potential mayoral bid is still in the consideration stage, and he emphasized that any run would require careful planning and personal adjustments. That includes preparing his company, The Agency, so it can run smoothly while he would focus on civic duties.
On the entertainment side, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 16 is currently in production, so viewers can expect more of Mauricio and the family on screen even as he contemplates a path into local politics. Whether it’s red carpets or campaign trails, Mauricio is clearly keeping multiple chapters open at once.