Overview
- The NBC4/Telemundo debate at the Skirball Cultural Center on Wednesday put Mayor Karen Bass, reality TV figure Spencer Pratt and Councilmember Nithya Raman on the same stage for the first time.
- Pratt blamed Bass for the 2025 Palisades fire, citing a denied $17 million request and drained reservoirs, while Bass said a drinking-water reservoir was offline and argued poor deployment and high winds hampered the response.
- Bass defended her record on homelessness by pointing to a reported 17.5% drop in people living on the street and highlighting the Inside Safe program that moves encampment residents into hotels and housing.
- The candidates split on public safety, with Pratt pushing to grow the LAPD to 12,500 officers and clear encampments, Bass arguing for rebuilding a smaller force with raises, and Raman favoring current staffing with more housing and treatment.
- Pratt’s aggressive showing followed weeks of viral, AI-driven videos and growing donations, while coverage differed on who benefited most and polling still shows Bass ahead with a large undecided bloc before the June 2 primary.