Los Angeles has seen its fair share of celebrity endorsements, but mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt is shaking things up in true SoCal style by taking a different route. On "Gutfeld!" Pratt shared that he's less interested in Hollywood's glitz and prefers backing from the city's everyday heroes – think moms and animal lovers.
Pratt amusingly noted, "I kind of enjoy when celebrities attack me. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right." Despite eschewing high-profile endorsements, his campaign isn't lacking in financial firepower, having reportedly raised more than both incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman.
While Pratt downplays the need for celebrity clout, he hinted at some discreet A-list backing. Whisperings in Tinseltown suggest that Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx have offered their private support, although these claims are yet to be publicly confirmed. Meanwhile, Dennis Quaid, Paris Hilton, and Jeanie Buss have openly thrown their weight behind him.
Despite this star-studded support, Pratt maintains his focus on grassroots movements. He emphasizes the importance of local voices, particularly those tackling issues like homelessness and drug addiction, backing his campaign with undeniable LA grit.
Current polls, courtesy of a UC Berkeley-Los Angeles Times survey, show a tight race with Bass leading at 26%, followed closely by Raman at 25%, and Pratt holding strong with 22%. A Republican, Pratt has been making waves with his viral ads that don't shy away from critiquing his opponents and city officials for their handling of pressing issues like wildfires and homelessness.
Launching his campaign in January, Pratt has made it clear he aims to unseat Bass by pointing out her leadership shortcomings. He's been vocal about advocating for treatment-centered solutions to the city's drug crisis, signaling a shift from traditional strategies.
With the LA mayoral primary scheduled for June 2, the race is heating up, and Pratt's unconventional tactics are garnering attention across the city. Whether his grassroots appeal will outshine the traditional star-studded route remains to be seen.