Overview
- The three leading candidates faced off Wednesday at the Skirball Cultural Center in an NBC4/Telemundo 52 debate, arguing over the 2025 Palisades wildfire, homelessness, public safety and the future of Hollywood.
- Spencer Pratt blamed Mayor Karen Bass for wildfire failures, alleging a denied $17 million fire-department request and drained reservoirs, while Bass disputed the claims and said staffing decisions and high winds limited aerial firefighting.
- Bass defended her record by citing a 17.5% drop in street homelessness through her Inside Safe program and pressed to rebuild LAPD ranks, as Nithya Raman promoted fiscal restraint and keeping police staffing near current levels.
- Reactions split after the broadcast, with an NBC4 viewer poll putting Pratt on top as a Politico analyst said Bass likely had the strongest night and noted Pratt performed better than many expected.
- Mail ballots are in circulation for the nonpartisan top-two vote on June 2, and a May 13 Fox11 forum will include Bass, Raman, Rae Huang and Adam Miller without Pratt, leaving late shifts among undecided voters especially consequential.