Bass, Raman Clash in 90-Minute La Mayoral Debate

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman met Tuesday in la mayoral debate for the first head-to-head faceoff of the race, a 90-minute forum hosted by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. The exchange centered on homelessness, police hiring and city finances, with both candidates pressing their case before hundreds of people in person and on streaming.

Raman opened by saying she had “incredible respect” for Bass, but said she entered the race from frustration with the city’s lack of progress on homelessness, housing production and continuing financial woes. Bass responded that Raman had been at City Hall two years longer than the mayor and had spent three years leading the committee charged with homelessness and housing issues.

Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.

The debate sharpened around who had done more with the tools available at City Hall. Raman said she is one out of 15 council members and lacks the power that Bass wields. Bass said Raman had served until recently in council leadership, while Raman replied, “The mayor is in charge of the departments. The mayor is the leader of the city.”

That split framed the argument over responsibility for the city’s homeless response. Raman said, “I feel an urgency and a vision to change and address those issues that I don’t feel is reflected in our leadership right now,” while Bass argued, “For you to act as if you’re brand new, or you’ve been on the outside for almost six years, is not accurate.”

Inside Safe in Raman’s District

Inside Safe took up much of the clash. Raman repeatedly argued that Bass’s program is too expensive, while Bass said she is working to move to a less costly approach. Bass also said Raman relied on Inside Safe in her district, which stretches from Silver Lake to Reseda.

Bass pointed to the first Inside Safe operation, staged in Hollywood in Raman’s district a week after Bass took office, and to a cleanup last summer next to the 405 Freeway that she described as a “horrific” encampment. Raman answered that it was her responsibility to push for more encampment operations, saying, “As a council member, your role is to be a squeaky wheel.” Bass replied, “You have pushed us around Inside Safe and insisted that Inside Safe come to your district.”

Wednesday at 5 pm

The two candidates were not done after Tuesday. Bass and Raman are scheduled to meet again Wednesday at 5 pm in a televised debate from the Skirball Cultural Center hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52, with reality television personality Spencer Pratt taking part. Pratt has labeled both Bass and Raman as part of the status quo, setting up another direct contrast over whether Bass’s record or Raman’s challenge carries more weight with voters.

Their rivalry has moved quickly. Bass campaigned for Raman in 2024 when Raman faced a tough reelection fight, and Raman backed Bass two years earlier when Bass faced real estate developer Rick Caruso. Raman entered the mayor’s race in February, turning former allies into direct opponents before voters see them again on Wednesday.