Spencer Pratt’s time in Santa Barbara County doubtless will not have an effect on his bid for L.A. mayor, analysts say

Residing exterior the neighborhood they wish to signify could be a handicap for political candidates, however it’s not more likely to be an issue for Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt, who till not too long ago was dwelling in Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, analysts say.

That’s as a result of Pratt’s residence burned within the January 2025 Palisades hearth, making him a sympathetic determine amongst many citizens — particularly these dwelling in his Westside base, they are saying.

“I don’t assume that is going to be electorally consequential,” stated Zev Yaroslavsky, a former Los Angeles County supervisor and L.A. Metropolis Council member who now runs the UCLA Luskin Faculty of Public Affairs. “He’s a sufferer of the Palisades hearth that doesn’t have a house to reside in as a result of it burned down.”

Pratt filed to run for mayor in February and was in second place behind Mayor Karen Bass in a latest ballot by the Luskin college. He was licensed by the Los Angeles metropolis clerk on March 2 as certainly one of 14 candidates within the June 2 major election.

Whereas some observers have raised questions on his eligibility, a state memorandum following the fires stated that voters who have been briefly displaced from their properties can use their prior handle as their everlasting residence so long as they “intend to return” sooner or later.

A view of the coastal community of Carpinteria, Calif.

Michael Sanchez, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, stated this additionally applies to candidates.

“In conditions the place a candidate has been briefly displaced (such because the 2025 wildfires), their eligibility to run for workplace will not be impacted, supplied they keep domicile of their district,” Sanchez stated in an announcement.

He defined that domicile is set by an individual’s major residence and their intent to return to that residence. “Non permanent relocation throughout rebuilding or restoration doesn’t, by itself, change an individual’s domicile.”

The Occasions requested the L.A. metropolis clerk’s workplace final week about Pratt’s residency and eligibility.

“We can’t touch upon the specifics of a candidate’s handle because of confidentiality. Any matter regarding a candidate’s eligibility or residency, equivalent to this case, will be formally challenged by the court docket,” stated Josue Marcus, a spokesperson for the town clerk’s workplace.

Any potential problem to Pratt’s eligibility primarily based on residency would activate the query of whether or not he had intent to return, stated Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Marymount College regulation professor. “These are tough inquiries as a result of it is determined by somebody’s frame of mind,” she stated.

Pratt and his marketing campaign aides didn’t reply to requests for remark. Pratt launched a video Monday, following inquiries from The Occasions, defending his determination to maneuver to Carpinteria however saying he now intends to reside in a trailer positioned on his burned-out lot in Pacific Palisades.

The town of Los Angeles sprawls throughout roughly 500 sq. miles, creating logistical hurdles if nothing else for a candidate looking for citywide workplace from a distant location, famous Democratic political marketing consultant Mike Trujillo.

“Anybody that has achieved the drive from San Pedro to Sylmar is aware of that L.A. is a giant place,” stated Trujillo, who isn’t affiliated with any of the candidates within the June 2 mayoral major. “So as to add one other hour and a half to the drive will not be advantageous for those who’re attempting to marketing campaign in each nook of the town.”

Pratt, a former actuality TV star, has tens of millions of followers on social media, however Trujillo stated that Pratt might want to present a powerful presence in the neighborhood to wage a profitable marketing campaign.

Pratt is a Republican working in a Democrat-majority metropolis. Developer Geoffrey H. Palmer, a main marketing campaign donor to President Trump, plans to host a reception for Pratt at his Beverly Hills residence April 28, in accordance to a doc the Pratt marketing campaign filed with the town Ethics Fee.

The occasion is being organized by Trey Kozacik, who additionally organized a Trump fundraiser in Los Angeles in 2019.

The UCLA Luskin ballot launched this month confirmed Pratt with the help of 11% of doubtless voters, behind Bass with 25% and forward of Metropolis Council member Nithya Raman with 9%.

Mayoral candidate Adam Miller, who polled at 3% within the survey, stated Pratt’s occasion affiliation is his largest hurdle to successful the mayoral race.

“I sympathize with Spencer for shedding his residence and feeling outrage towards the town, however he isn’t a viable candidate. It doesn’t matter the place he lives, a Republican hasn’t been elected mayor in 30 years on this metropolis, and he isn’t going to alter that now,” stated Miller, a tech government.

Others say occasion affiliation is much less of a problem.

“It is a nonpartisan race,” stated Roxanne Hoge, the chair of the Los Angeles County Republican Occasion. “There’s no letter accompanying anybody’s title. … I personally help him as a result of he’s an clever various.”

Some assume Pratt may even maintain enchantment for some Democratic voters.

“There are folks I communicate to who I do know to be Democrats who actually, actually like him,” stated Maryam Zar, who heads the Palisades Restoration Coalition. “To the extent that persons are dissatisfied on this restoration, they pin their hopes on Spencer. That’s not a foul place for him to be.”