Spencer Pratt Demands LA Times Retract 'Hit Piece' on Mayoral Eligibility

Pratt's team says the newspaper ignored rules for fire victims running for office in LA.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:11pm

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A photorealistic painting of a solitary, charred house in a residential neighborhood, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of melancholy and loss in the wake of a natural disaster.The aftermath of the 2025 Palisades fire leaves a burned-out home, raising questions about political rights for displaced residents.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt is demanding that The Los Angeles Times retract its story questioning his eligibility for the race based on his residency. Pratt's team says the Times ignored rules that allow fire victims like Pratt to maintain a vacant burned lot as their primary residence and run for city office while rebuilding, even if temporarily displaced.

Why it matters

The dispute over Pratt's eligibility could become a major issue in the LA mayoral race, with the Times' reporting potentially undermining his campaign. The case also highlights the challenges fire victims can face in maintaining political rights and participation after natural disasters.

The details

The Times published an article on April 6 that quoted several people casting doubts on Pratt's LA residency and building a case around his temporary home in Santa Barbara County after his Palisades house burned down in the 2025 wildfires. Pratt's team says the Times ignored clear rules that allow fire victims to maintain their burned lots as their primary residence and run for office while rebuilding.

  • Pratt's home burned down during the Palisades fire in 2025.
  • The LA Times published the article questioning Pratt's eligibility on April 6, 2026.
  • Pratt's team sent a letter to the LA Times on April 10, 2026 demanding a retraction and apology by April 13.

The players

Spencer Pratt

A Los Angeles mayoral candidate who is demanding the LA Times retract its story questioning his eligibility to run based on his residency after his home burned down in the 2025 Palisades fire.

The Los Angeles Times

The newspaper that published a story on April 6, 2026 questioning Pratt's eligibility to run for LA mayor due to his temporary relocation to Santa Barbara County after the Palisades fire.

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong

The owner of The Los Angeles Times, to whom Pratt's team sent a letter demanding a retraction and apology.

Noah Goldberg

A writer for The Los Angeles Times who authored the article on Pratt's residency and eligibility.

Richard Winton

A writer for The Los Angeles Times who co-authored the article on Pratt's residency and eligibility.

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What they’re saying

“Here comes the ratio.”

— Noah Goldberg, Writer, The Los Angeles Times

What’s next

Pratt's team has demanded the LA Times retract the story and apologize by 9 a.m. on April 13. The outcome of this dispute could have major implications for Pratt's mayoral campaign.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges fire victims can face in maintaining their political rights and participation after natural disasters, as well as the potential for media coverage to undermine campaigns based on disputed residency requirements.