Los Angeles mayoral hopeful and former reality television star Spencer Pratt has drawn comparisons between himself and former President Barack Obama while defending his lack of political experience in recent interviews.
Pratt's Defense of Inexperience
During a Friday appearance on NBC Los Angeles, Pratt stated, "I have two awards from my community. President Obama actually didn't even have awards when he was a community organizer." He added, "He was able to become a senator and then a president for eight years. So, I feel like him and I have the same experience."
Pratt's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for further details about his community honors. The candidate, best known for his role on the mid-2000s MTV reality series "The Hills," became involved in community advocacy after his home was destroyed in the devastating fires that swept through Los Angeles County's Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas in 2025.
Obama's Path to Presidency
Obama's journey from community organizer to the White House was more complex than Pratt's comments suggest. After working on Chicago's South Side from 1985 to 1988, where he helped establish job training and tutoring programs and a tenants' rights organization, Obama attended Harvard Law School and became president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, serving until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2005. During his first term in Congress, he secured the Democratic presidential nomination and was elected the 44th president of the United States in 2008.
Pratt's Political Ambitions
In a separate interview with CBS News, Pratt remarked that Obama "had no experience running the whole entire country, which is way bigger than LA." He also sought to distance himself from his reality TV background, telling NBC, "I'm no longer a reality star. It's funny, I keep being called a reality star. I'm the only candidate living in reality, too."
Pratt, a registered Republican, is one of 15 candidates competing in June's mayoral primary, which includes incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. While his campaign benefits from strong name recognition and a savvy social media strategy, his party affiliation may pose a significant obstacle. Los Angeles has not elected a Republican mayor since 1997.
During a debate last Wednesday, fellow candidate and City Councilmember Nithya Raman accused Pratt of being a "MAGA Republican." However, Pratt countered, "I represent all of Los Angeles. I do not represent a party. I don't have a campaign manager. I don't have campaign consultants. There's no political party backing me."
