Spencer Pratt's Santa Barbara County move raises eligibility questions

The former reality TV star is running for mayor in Los Angeles despite living outside city limits.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:05am

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A dimly lit urban street scene with a single parked car, the warm glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement, creating a contemplative, cinematic mood that reflects the political uncertainty surrounding the mayoral race.As questions swirl around a mayoral candidate's residency, the quiet streets of Los Angeles take on an air of political unease.Carpinteria Today

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt has acknowledged living in Carpinteria, a city in Santa Barbara County, after his Palisades home burned down. This raises questions about his eligibility to run for mayor of Los Angeles, as candidates are required to live within city limits.

Why it matters

Pratt's living situation outside of Los Angeles could disqualify him from the mayoral race, as residency requirements are in place to ensure candidates have a vested interest in the city they seek to govern. This issue highlights the importance of election integrity and transparency around candidate qualifications.

The details

Pratt, a former reality TV personality, announced his mayoral bid earlier this year. However, after his Palisades home was destroyed by a fire, he acknowledged relocating to Carpinteria, a city approximately 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles. This move outside of the city limits raises questions about his eligibility to run for mayor of Los Angeles.

  • Pratt announced his mayoral bid earlier this year.
  • Pratt's Palisades home was destroyed by a fire, prompting his move to Carpinteria.

The players

Spencer Pratt

A former reality TV personality who is running for mayor of Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“Candidates for mayor must be residents of the city they seek to represent. This is a fundamental requirement to ensure elected officials have a vested interest in the community they serve.”

— Jamal Simmons, Political Analyst

What’s next

The Los Angeles City Clerk's office is reviewing Pratt's residency status to determine if he meets the eligibility requirements to run for mayor.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of candidate residency requirements in local elections, as they help ensure elected officials are truly invested in the communities they represent. Voters should closely scrutinize the qualifications of all mayoral candidates to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.