Former reality star Spencer Pratt lashed out at the Los Angeles Times for an article questioning his eligibility to run for mayor, dismissing the report as a politically motivated “hit piece” in comments to The California Post.
“A toddler with Google could’ve validated my eligibility,” Pratt told The Post on Tuesday, the day after the LA Times suggested he may not actually live in Los Angeles — a requirement to appear on the ballot in June.
Spencer Pratt speaks with reporters after filing his Declaration of Intention to become a candidate for LA Mayor at the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Carlin Stiehl for California Post
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag at a demonstration marking the one year anniversary of the Palisades Fire. London Entertainment for NY Post
The Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, house where the LA Times claims Pratt could be living. CB / BACKGRIDThe article claimed that Pratt — who starred in the reality TV series “The Hills” — has been living at his parents’ home in Santa Barbara after losing his house in the Palisades Fire, which may disqualify him from running, according to a law professor who spoke with the outlet.
In an X post, Pratt acknowledged that his family has “sheltered up” at his father’s house after the fire, but insisted his official residence is still in Los Angeles.
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt on Celebrity Big Brother on 2017. WireImage“This goes beyond reckless journalism; this is election interference,” he told The Post.
Pratt, a Republican, is in second place — behind Karen Bass — in the mayoral race, according to a recent poll from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
“If this is their only attack vector on my campaign, then we are in outstanding shape, and they are scared,” he told The Post.
The Times obtained voter record data showing that Pratt listed his Palisades address as his residence, but listed a house in Carpinteria owned by his father as a mailing address.
The outlet also spoke with the manager of a Mexican restaurant in Carpinteria, who claimed that Pratt is a regular customer.
Pratt blasted the Times for “harassing” his mother and other family members and “soliciting details on where my children sleep.”
“Perhaps the most creepy detail – harassing the manager of my favorite burrito spot to ask what I like to eat,” he added.
A view of the Carpinteria beach neighborhood where the LA Times suggested Pratt could be living. CB / BACKGRID
An Airstream is seen at Pratt’s property in Pacific Palisades. BACKGRIDThe Times pointed out that candidates were required to be living — and registered to vote in — Los Angeles by January 3, which “brings up the question as to whether Spencer Pratt can satisfy the residency requirement,” Jessica Levinson, professor of law at Loyola Marymount University, told the outlet.
Pratt slammed Levinson and the reporters behind the piece for not mentioning the specific law that would disqualify him.
“They excluded it on purpose, to run a hit piece,” he said.
Pratt also razzed the Times for their own residence: an office in El Segundo.
“How can the El Segundo Times call themselves the LA Times if they haven’t had residency in LA in 8 years?”
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