LA unions spend big on ad to sink Spencer Pratt — and accidentally make him sound like a hero

The political geniuses running Los Angeles may have just handed Spencer Pratt the greatest campaign gift money can buy — with union money, no less.

A new anti-Pratt digital ad funded by organized labor was supposed to scare Angelenos away from the former reality-TV flamethrower turned mayoral candidate. Instead, it landed online like a glowing endorsement for every voter tired of stepping over tents, dodging smash-and-grabs and listening to City Hall explain why things are somehow “on the right track.”

The ad, bankrolled by a labor-backed independent expenditure committee tied to the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, reportedly dropped more than $221,000 on digital spots attacking Pratt.

And what horrifying sins did they accuse him of committing?

Wanting fewer taxpayer-funded giveaways for the homeless industrial complex. Wanting more cops on the street instead of more bureaucrats with clipboards. Wanting public-sector unions to have less control over City Hall.

In other words: exactly the stuff a growing chunk of fed-up LA voters have been screaming about for years.

The ad solemnly warns viewers that Pratt “opposes using taxpayer money to build brand new houses for unhoused neighbors,” and says “it’s time for the homeless to get help or get out.”

Oh no. The horror.

It continues by attacking Pratt for believing Los Angeles “needs thousands more police officers rather than more social workers” and for thinking public employee unions should have “less power, not more.”

At that point, plenty of voters likely weren’t reaching for the remote. They were probably asking where to donate.

Even Sen. Ted Cruz couldn’t resist piling on, posting on X: “This attack ad could well elect Pratt.” He’s probably not wrong.

The internet reaction was immediate and brutal — just not toward Pratt. One X user laughed, “This is supposed to be an attack ad???” Another joked that even left-wing activists appeared to be “running ads supporting Spencer Pratt.” That’s the danger when political consultants become so insulated inside activist bubbles that they forget normal people still exist.

Los Angeles residents have spent years watching their city spiral through homelessness crises, open-air drug use, rising crime fears, endless bureaucracy and eye-watering taxes. Yet the political establishment keeps responding with the same sermon: spend more, regulate more, hire more consultants and never, ever admit failure.

Then along comes Pratt —Spencer Pratt from “The Hills” — talking bluntly about crime, homelessness and government incompetence like a guy stuck in traffic on the 405 instead of a polished career politician.

And somehow it’s working. What started as a celebrity curiosity campaign is rapidly becoming something far more uncomfortable for the city’s ruling class. Pratt has surged into serious contention after a widely watched mayoral debate where many viewers declared him the clear winner. An NBC4 online poll found nearly 90% of respondents thought Pratt came out on top.

Even media outlets openly skeptical of him have admitted he exceeded expectations. Pratt’s rise has been fueled by outsider anger following the devastating Palisades fires and broader frustration with LA leadership. He’s hammered Mayor Karen Bass over homelessness, public safety and what critics see as bureaucratic paralysis.

He’s also picked up support from podcast king Joe Rogan, who flatly told Pratt, “Listen, man, I’m voting for you … I’m rooting for you.” That endorsement alone probably caused half of LA’s consultant class to spill oat milk all over their Patagonia vests.

Of course, Pratt remains a long shot in a deeply Democratic city. And critics still see him as a reality-TV provocateur playing political cosplay. But the panic from unions and establishment figures suggests they no longer view him as a punchline.

That may be the biggest story here. Because when entrenched political machines start dumping six figures into “Republican Spencer Pratt is dangerous” ads in Los Angeles, it means somebody in City Hall is sweating through their linen shirt.

And when your attack ad accidentally sounds like a voter wish list, things may be worse than they thought.