Spencer Pratt’s Campaign Efforts in South Los Angeles

Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt brought his campaign to South Los Angeles on Wednesday. This area was previously represented in Congress by incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. During the event at Hyde Park, Pratt spent two hours mingling with the approximately 100 attendees. He posed for photos and spoke with residents but did not take questions from the media. This mirrored his approach during a recent meet and greet in Sherman Oaks.

Marcella Anglada, 61, showed Pratt a video on her phone of broken sidewalks in her neighborhood. These conditions, she explained, make navigation difficult in her motorized wheelchair. As she handed Pratt her phone, Anglada said, “And this is why I voted for you, because I know you’re going to do something about it.” She further shared with The Times how these broken sidewalks affect older residents who rely on mobility aids.

Jonathan Parker, who grew up in the area, praised Pratt for campaigning in the neighborhood. Parker exclaimed, “If you can go here, you can go anywhere.” Parker and his wife, Victoriah Bech Parker, manage a Skid Row charity and have recently sought a U.S. Justice Department investigation into allegations of animal abuse on Skid Row. They acknowledge Pratt as the only mayoral candidate to support their initiative. Bech Parker expressed her willingness to collaborate with any party, Republican or Democrat, to enhance conditions for people and animals in downtown L.A., known for its homelessness and encampments.

In addition to the discussions and images, attendees enjoyed barbecue, ice cream, and drinks from food trucks, mingling under shaded canopies while listening to a mix of modern music and classic tracks from the 1970s. At one point, Pratt humorously pledged in front of a barbecue trailer, “we’re gonna have lots of grilling in L.A.” This comment referenced opponent Nithya Raman’s previous proposal to ban backyard barbecues on high fire danger days, a stance she has since revised.

Supporters from across the city attended, including Miki Yamashita, who manages the “asiansforpratt” Instagram page. Wearing a chartreuse shirt inspired by Charli XCX’s album cover, Yamashita stated that many Asian Americans back Pratt to support their small businesses and families. She identified with Pratt as a frustrated Los Angeles resident who wants change. The gathering attracted reporters and TV cameras throughout the day, as attendees shared images on their social media accounts.