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Bass and Raman Trade Sharp Attacks in First Mayoral Runoff Debate

The debate could shift momentum by underscoring competing records on homelessness, exposing a fake poll this week, highlighting Bass’s fundraising lead, spotlighting Raman’s calls for audits.

Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to replace Mayor Karen Bass, publicly threw a political grenade Monday, suggesting the City Council president is colluding with Bass to “punish” her.
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Overview

  • On Wednesday night the two candidates met at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center for the first head-to-head debate of the Nov. 3 runoff and the exchange was acrimonious with frequent interruptions.
  • Homelessness was central to the debate as Bass defended Inside Safe, saying it moved more than 6,200 people indoors, and Raman pressed for audits of homelessness spending while citing a 49% drop in unsheltered homelessness in her Fourth District.
  • The candidates sharply disagreed on policing and budgets, with Raman blaming a costly police pay deal for cuts to street repairs and other services and Bass arguing raises were needed to keep officers from leaving.
  • This week’s campaign news has unsettled the race after a poll that showed Bass ahead was revealed to be fake, and recent filings show Bass outraised Raman by a wide margin in the most recent reporting period.
  • The debate comes after City Council changes to homelessness oversight that removed Raman as committee chair and sets the stage for intensified voter outreach and messaging before ballots are mailed for the November runoff.