Reality TV star Spencer Pratt posted a barbecue video mocking Nithya Raman's proposed ban on grills during wildfire season, capturing momentum in the mayoral race while campaigning in the Nithya Raman district.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted a video of himself grilling on social media this week, captioning it with "COME AND TAKE IT" while taking aim at City Councilmember Nithya Raman's proposal to ban backyard barbecues on high wildfire risk days.
The campaign move landed in the district represented by one of Pratt's rivals, adding local flavor to the statewide mayoral race. Pratt shared the barbecue footage to X on May 15, showing himself cooking outdoors while the controversy over Raman's proposal heated up.
Pratt has been running in voter surveys behind Mayor Karen Bass, who is running for reelection, sometimes swapping places with Raman for second and third. He turned in a strong debate performance this month and has been outpacing his rivals in fundraising, according to the most recent disclosure reports.
Greg Whitley, a resident of Reseda, expressed his concerns about homelessness and immigration issues while Pratt campaigned in the area.
"I live with the Spanish community. Great people," Whitley said. "But these illegals that come here for criminal reasons, they're making them look bad, and they don't like it."
Whitley's comments reflect the kind of local sentiment Pratt is trying to tap into across the San Fernando Valley. The candidate has focused his campaign on what he describes as current Mayor Karen Bass' incompetence during the Palisades fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes, including Pratt's own home.
Raman's original public-safety motion included language about "a notice to all residents in Red Flag Warning areas to cease all activities that increase risk of fire, such as the use of outdoor barbecues or fire pits." Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez snuffed it out with her own motion to block the ban.
Rodriguez said the proposed barbecue ban would "unfairly target neighborhood gatherings and long-standing community traditions."
"The last thing Angelenos need is a ban on hosting a carne asada in their own backyards," Rodriguez said while introducing an amendment to withdraw Raman's recommendation.
Red Flag days declared by Los Angeles are when weather conditions carry the high potential for fast-moving brush fires, according to the city's fire department website. The conditions include wind speeds of 25 mph or more and humidity of 15 percent or less.
Pratt took advantage of the unpopular policy proposal to light a fire under his own campaign, which has been gaining momentum in recent weeks.
"Come and take it," Pratt wrote in a caption showing a video of himself grilling a huge piece of meat that he posted to social media. "Happy Smoke 4th," he wrote in overlay text on the video.
Pratt lost his own home more than a year ago in the Pacific Palisades fires that ravaged the state. The cause of California's recent devastating wildfires was not backyard barbecuing but poor leadership and bad decisions, said one commentator.
The Pratt family was still displaced as of February, according to reports. Some have said the new proposal to ban barbecuing on certain days in California would threaten family traditions.
A new Emerson College poll reveals a tightening contest as former reality TV star Spencer Pratt captures significant momentum among male and Republican-leaning voters.
According to the Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey conducted May 9-10, Bass sits in first place with 30 percent support. Pratt follows in second at 22 percent, a 12-point jump from March, while City Councilmember Nithya Raman holds third at 19 percent.
This shift comes as undecided voters, who made up over half of the electorate in March, have narrowed to just 16 percent.
Pratt has been running in voter surveys behind Mayor Karen Bass, who is running for reelection, sometimes swapping places with Raman for second and third. He turned in a strong debate performance this month and has been outpacing his rivals in fundraising, according to the most recent disclosure reports.
Pratt said recently that he wants to increase Los Angeles Police Department staffing to 12,500 officers over the next decade, up from about 8,600. Speaking with one supporter on Saturday, he said the city needs to make sure all the laws are being enforced.
"Plenty of functioning cities enforce their laws," he said.
That message resonated with many of the people in the line. "He is advocating for the safety and security of our families — specifically, for mothers to be able to walk their kids to school," said Saba Lahar, a resident of Sherman Oaks, moments after talking to the candidate.
Pratt fans dropped off ballots, picked up lawn signs and stopped to pick up coffee drinks from the Hustle N Dough doughnut truck parked out front. Some showed up even though they cannot cast ballots in Los Angeles.
Ruben Jr., no last name given, took a picture of his father during the mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt's community meet-and-greet Saturday in Sherman Oaks.
Brian Rodda, who runs a walking food tour company, described himself as "an unsatisfied Angeleno" even though he lives in West Hollywood, which is not part of the city of Los Angeles.
"Sadly, because I do live in West Hollywood, I cannot vote for him," Rodda said. "But certainly I think we need a change."
Pratt has been running in voter surveys behind Mayor Karen Bass, who is running for reelection, sometimes swapping places with Raman for second and third. He turned in a strong debate performance this month and has been outpacing his rivals in fundraising, according to the most recent disclosure reports.
While running for office, Pratt has blamed Bass for the 2025 wildfire that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades, including his home. He has railed against the city's handling of homelessness, saying he would pursue a treatment first approach toward people with drug addiction who are living on the street.
Pratt said recently that he wants to increase Los Angeles Police Department staffing to 12,500 officers over the next decade, up from about 8,600. Speaking with one supporter on Saturday, he said the city needs to make sure all the laws are being enforced.
"Plenty of functioning cities enforce their laws," he said.
That message resonated with many of the people in the line. "He is advocating for the safety and security of our families — specifically, for mothers to be able to walk their kids to school," said Saba Lahar, a resident of Sherman Oaks, moments after talking to the candidate.
Pratt fans dropped off ballots, picked up lawn signs and stopped to pick up coffee drinks from the Hustle N Dough doughnut truck parked out front. Some showed up even though they cannot cast ballots in Los Angeles.
Ruben Jr., no last name given, took a picture of his father during the mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt's community meet-and-greet Saturday in Sherman Oaks.
Brian Rodda, who runs a walking food tour company, described himself as "an unsatisfied Angeleno" even though he lives in West Hollywood, which is not part of the city of Los Angeles.
"Sadly, because I do live in West Hollywood, I cannot vote for him," Rodda said. "But certainly I think we need a change."
This article was generated with AI assistance.