Spencer Pratt's Carpinteria Move Unlikely to Hurt L.A. Mayoral Bid

Analysts say Pratt's temporary displacement after 2025 wildfire won't disqualify him from running for L.A. mayor.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty political office or meeting room, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and deep shadows cast across the walls and furniture, creating a sense of solitude and contemplation.The temporary displacement of a mayoral candidate due to a natural disaster raises questions about residency requirements and voter sympathies.Los Angeles Today

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles, recently moved to Carpinteria after his Pacific Palisades home burned down in the 2025 wildfires. Analysts say this temporary relocation is unlikely to affect his eligibility or hurt his campaign, as voters may see him as a sympathetic figure who lost his home in the disaster.

Why it matters

Living outside the community they want to represent can sometimes be a handicap for political candidates, but experts believe Pratt's situation is unique and may even garner him sympathy from voters, especially those in his Westside base. The question of his eligibility to run for mayor hinges on whether he can demonstrate intent to return to his previous residence in Pacific Palisades.

The details

Pratt filed to run for mayor in February and was certified as one of 14 candidates in the June 2 primary election. While some have raised questions about his eligibility, state guidelines say voters temporarily displaced by disasters can use their prior address as their permanent residence if they intend to return. Pratt recently said he has placed a trailer on his burned-out lot in Pacific Palisades, indicating his intent to return.

  • Pratt's home burned down in the January 2025 Palisades fire.
  • Pratt filed to run for mayor in February 2026.
  • Pratt was certified as a candidate on March 2, 2026.
  • The Los Angeles mayoral primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026.

The players

Spencer Pratt

A former reality TV star who is running for mayor of Los Angeles. His home in Pacific Palisades burned down in the 2025 wildfires, leading him to temporarily relocate to Carpinteria.

Karen Bass

The current mayor of Los Angeles, who is leading Pratt in the polls for the mayoral race.

Zev Yaroslavsky

A former Los Angeles County supervisor and L.A. City Council member who now runs the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Michael Sanchez

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Jessica Levinson

A Loyola Marymount University law professor.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think this is going to be electorally consequential. He's a victim of the Palisades fire that doesn't have a home to live in because it burned down.”

— Zev Yaroslavsky, Former Los Angeles County supervisor and L.A. City Council member

“In situations where a candidate has been temporarily displaced (such as the 2025 wildfires), their eligibility to run for office is not impacted, provided they maintain domicile in their district.”

— Michael Sanchez, Spokesperson, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

“Those are tricky inquiries because it depends on someone's state of mind.”

— Jessica Levinson, Loyola Marymount University law professor

What’s next

Any potential challenge to Pratt's eligibility based on residency would turn on the question of whether he had intent to return to his Pacific Palisades property.

The takeaway

While Pratt's temporary relocation to Carpinteria after the 2025 wildfires may create some logistical challenges for his mayoral campaign, experts believe his status as a fire victim is likely to garner sympathy from voters and not disqualify him from running for mayor of Los Angeles.