It’s been a quarter of a century since Los Angeles had a Republican mayor, Richard Riordan, who left office following his second term in 2001. Though a Republican victory over the incumbent, Karen Bass, remains remote, Spencer Pratt’s campaign has shown Democrats that their grip may be slipping, even on the bluest of cities.

Why is Pratt’s campaign proving so effective?

The same question was asked about Trump’s unexpected win in the 2024 presidential election, and in both cases, the explanation may be similar. Spencer Pratt has positioned himself as a relatable candidate—Republican, yes, but bipartisan in principle—especially to young adults.

With one in four independents and Democrats being young adults, Pratt has targeted his most hostile demographic through social media, voicing the disappointments of the average LA resident. From parody-like videos depicting Pratt as an AI Batman rescuing children from a Gotham-style LA, to adapting The Lego Movie’s catchy song “Everything Is Awesome” into the campaign-friendly “Everything Is Awful,” Pratt has uniquely conveyed both his goals and Democratic failures to a skeptical audience.

The homelessness epidemic has been a particular focus of Pratt’s campaign, honing in on an issue that most people, both left and right, would agree has been mishandled.

Though not quite the anomaly that is President Trump, both campaigns have succeeded based upon a cultivated “heroic” image—putting a promising face to the public’s longstanding frustrations. Increasing numbers on both sides of the aisle are identifying as independents. Classically liberal and conservative voters can find greater commonality on issues of public safety and education than moderate Democrats and leftists often can.

Trump’s election should have served as a wake-up call for Democratic realignment with public interest. Yet, their commitment to extremity has alienated a large portion of their party and paved the way for candidates like Pratt to attract moderates.

Trump’s electoral victory was novel indeed, but Pratt’s campaign performance indicates a pattern in public sentiment rather than an exception. Conservatives should watch closely, and Democrats even closer, to what the public seems to be saying.