Lake Balboa resident Jose Meraz is looking for a mayor who will turn L.A. around, cleaning up streets he says are “full of trash.”
School teacher Tracy Schroeder, a Republican candidate for state Assembly, is unhappy with crime, open-air drug use and slow rebuilding efforts in the wake of the Palisades fire, which destroyed thousands of homes.
Reseda resident Greg Whitley said he is frustrated by homelessness and the influx of people he called “criminal illegal aliens.”
“I live with the Spanish community. Great people,” he said. “But these illegals who come here for criminal reasons are making them look bad, and they don’t like that.”
The trio arrived outside the five-bedroom home in Sherman Oaks on Saturday to talk to reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, who is now running an insurgent campaign for mayor of Los Angeles in the June 2 election.
Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, left, poses with a supporter during a community gathering Saturday at a home on Longridge Avenue in the residential neighborhood of Sherman Oaks.
(Etienne Laurent/For The Times)
Standing at the entrance to the home’s two-car garage, the onetime star of “The Hills” spent more than two hours shaking hands, hugging and posing for photos with fans who waited in line under the San Fernando Valley sunshine.
Pratt used social media to invite the public to the campaign event, which took place in the district represented by one of his mayoral opponents, City Council member Nithya Raman.
He did not make any speeches outside the property, which is Listed for rent on Zillow At $15,950 per month. He and a member of his security staff said he was not doing interviews.
Pratt is trailing Mayor Karen Bass, who is running for re-election, in voter surveys, occasionally swapping places with Raman for second and third place. According to the latest disclosure reports, he turned in a strong debate performance this month and has outpaced his rivals in fundraising.
While running for office, Pratt blamed Bass for the 2025 wildfires that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades, including his home. He has criticized the way the city has dealt with homelessness, saying he would take a “treatment first” approach towards people with drug addictions living on the street.
Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, on camera, speaks to supporters during a community gathering on Saturday.
(Etienne Laurent/For The Times)
Pratt recently said he wants to increase the number of employees in the Los Angeles Police Department from about 8,600 to 12,500 over the next decade. Speaking to a supporter Saturday, he said the city “needs to make sure all the laws are being enforced.”
“A lot of working cities enforce their own laws,” he said.
That message resonated with many people in the queue.
“He’s advocating for the safety and security of our families — in particular, for moms to be able to take their kids to school,” Sherman Oaks resident Saba Lahar said moments after speaking with the candidate.
Pratt fans dropped off ballots, picked up lawn signs and stopped to grab coffee drinks from the Hustle N’ Dough donut truck parked out front.
Some people came, even though they can’t vote in L.A.
Reuben Jr., no last name released, holds a photo of his father during a community gathering for mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt in Sherman Oaks on Saturday.
(Etienne Laurent/For The Times)
Brian Rodda, who runs a walking food tour company, describes himself as “a disaffected Angeleno,” even though he lives in West Hollywood, which is not part of downtown LA.
“Sadly, because I live in West Hollywood, I can’t vote for him,” he said. “But I definitely think we need change.”
