Frustration among California voters over the faltering leadership of state and local officials seems to be steering political newcomers Spencer Pratt and Steve Hilton toward runoff elections for the positions of mayor and governor, respectively. As initial ballot results trickle in, these non-traditional candidates are gaining traction, signaling a significant shift and potential challenge to the Democratic stronghold in both Los Angeles and the state.
On Wednesday night, both Pratt and Hilton maintained a firm grip on their standings. In the race for governor, Steve Hilton led with 27.6% of the votes, closely followed by Xavier Becerra at 25.6%, with over half of the votes tallied. This development underscores a growing appetite for change among the electorate.
Meanwhile, in the mayoral contest, Spencer Pratt, best known for his role as the notorious “bad boy” on MTV’s “The Hills,” has been hot on the heels of incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Pratt secured 29.91% of the votes, just a few points shy of Bass’s 34.97%, with Nithya Raman trailing at 22.81%. With 63% of the votes counted, Pratt was less than 27,000 votes behind Bass, according to figures from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, setting the stage for a likely showdown in November’s general election.
According to Matthew Klink, a conservative political strategist based in Los Angeles, Pratt could capitalize on his momentum if he continues his “clever” campaign strategy. This approach, marked by creative AI-produced videos and street art highlighting city issues such as blight and corruption, has resonated with voters weary of conventional political rhetoric. Klink suggests that if Pratt steers clear of traditional policy papers and canned speeches, his chances remain strong.
Pratt has struck a chord with his emphasis on public safety concerns and criticism of the inadequate response to the devastating LA wildfires, which seems to have left a lasting impression on the electorate. As these unconventional candidates gain ground, it remains to be seen how the political landscape in California will evolve in the coming months.
Pratt’s persistent banging of the drum of public safety issues and the lackluster response to the deadly LA wildfires made a mark.
“More than 60% of city of Los Angeles voters chose another candidate than the mayor,” Klink said, noting left Councilmember Nithya Raman’s ability to also siphon votes while currently sitting in third place.
“Clearly, Bass is vulnerable.”
Meanwhile, Steve Hilton — who scored the endorsement of President Trump in the California governor’s race — was leading the pack as of Wednesday evening.
The former Fox News host and adviser to ex-UK prime minister David Cameron has hammered away on the state’s decline under one-party Democratic rule since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011, while also proposing novel policies that would bring gas prices down and eliminate state income taxes on anyone earning less than $100,000.
Hilton was besting establishment Democrat and former Biden cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra by more than 100,000 votes, and progressive billionaire Tom Steyer by a whopping 400,000 votes, according to the Secretary of State’s Office Wednesday.
John McLaughlin, CEO of McLaughlin & Associates and pollster for The Post, said Hilton for his part has struck a nerve with California voters — suggesting that Democrats may be numb to the realities on the ground due to California’s overwhelmingly blue voter registration advantage.
“With 50% of voters saying they disapprove of [Gov. Gavin] Newsom, and 56% saying the state is on the wrong track, I think Steve Hilton hit that message pretty well,” McLaughlin said.
“The challenge for Steve Hilton will be getting Democrats to vote for him,” McLaughlin said, noting that Republicans need roughly 20% to 25% of Democrats to cross over in a statewide California race.
Klink added, “The Democratic Party just swamps Republicans and no-party-preference voters in the state, which is sad. It breaks my heart.”
“Democrats don’t need a tweak around the edges — they need a reboot.”
It will take a near unprecedented comeback from Steyer and Raman in the gubernatorial and mayoral races, respectively, for Hilton and Pratt not to advance to the November runoff, experts said.
With five months to go, both political outsiders will have ample time to make the case for change to California voters.
“Spencer Pratt needs to stay on offense and show Democrats are going for him, and make it more acceptable for other Democrats,” McLaughlin said.
“The great thing for California is you have real contests for the November election.”
