Bass and Raman Face Off at Los Angeles Mayoral Forum
Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman will discuss homelessness and housing at a Tuesday forum hosted by Jewish community organizations ahead of the November election.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman will participate in a mayoral forum Tuesday evening at the Skirball Cultural Center. Co-hosted by the Jewish Federation Los Angeles and other community partners, the event features separate 45-minute sessions for each candidate, including shared questions and audience inquiries. The candidates will address homelessness, housing costs, and city infrastructure, such as pothole and street light repair.
The forum occurs as both candidates have raised approximately $2.5 million each, with ballots scheduled to be mailed to voters on October 1. Raman, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has criticized Bass for declining several televised debate invitations and argues that residents deserve transparency regarding the city's broken status quo. Bass's campaign spokesperson, Alex Stack, countered by accusing Raman of neglecting her council duties to campaign, though he noted the mayor is committed to a televised debate on October 12.
Bass is seeking a second term following a first term marked by the Palisades Fire and a rising homelessness crisis. The general election on November 3 follows a primary in which Republican candidate Spencer Pratt failed to qualify for the ballot despite receiving roughly 25% of the vote. The race takes place as Los Angeles manages significant financial challenges and prepares for the 2028 Olympics.
