Spencer Pratt may be out of the Los Angeles mayoral race, but he is making it clear that he has no intention of disappearing quietly from the political conversation.
The former reality television star and Republican candidate reignited debate over California’s election process this week after posting a simple but pointed question on X: “Are they done counting yet?”
The remark came after Pratt’s surprising mayoral campaign fell just short of advancing to the November runoff. In the days immediately following the June 2 election, Pratt appeared to be in position to claim the second runoff spot behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Such a result would have produced one of the most unexpected political matchups in recent California history, a celebrity Republican challenging the Democratic mayor of one of the nation’s most liberal cities.
Instead, the race took a different turn.
As election officials continued counting mail-in ballots over the following week, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman steadily gained ground. By the time the final results were announced, Raman had overtaken Pratt and secured second place, setting up an all-Democrat showdown against Bass in November.
For Pratt and many of his supporters, the outcome raised familiar questions about California’s lengthy vote-counting process. While state law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted after polls close, critics argue that races should not continue shifting days or even weeks after voters have gone to bed on election night.
Pratt seemed to hint that his political efforts are far from over when he later posted, “Saving LA – Phase III” on social media. The message immediately sparked speculation that he may be preparing a new political initiative, advocacy campaign, or public effort aimed at continuing the issues he championed during his mayoral bid.
His campaign had focused heavily on concerns that resonate with many frustrated Los Angeles residents, including rising crime, homelessness, public disorder, and dissatisfaction with long-standing Democratic leadership. While Pratt entered the race as an unconventional candidate, his willingness to challenge the city’s political establishment attracted significant attention and support.
The controversy surrounding the vote count also drew reactions from national conservative figures. Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh criticized California’s election system, arguing that the state struggles to deliver timely election results. President Trump amplified those concerns by sharing Hamadeh’s comments and expressing skepticism about the outcome.
Meanwhile, conservative commentator Robby Starbuck and others pointed to Pratt’s late drop in the standings as another example of why many voters remain uneasy about election procedures that continue long after Election Day.
Whether Pratt launches another political effort remains to be seen. What is clear is that his campaign tapped into growing frustration among voters who feel Los Angeles is headed in the wrong direction. While the mayoral race may be finished for now, Pratt’s social media posts suggest he intends to remain part of the debate over the city’s future.
For supporters who watched him rise and then fall in the final count, the questions surrounding the race have not gone away. Neither, apparently, has Spencer Pratt.
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