Bass and Raman clash in final Los Angeles mayoral debate
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Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman debated Tuesday night, with columnists offering mixed assessments of their performances ahead of the November 3 election.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman faced each other Tuesday night in a televised debate hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo52 in Universal City, the last head-to-head appearance before the November 3 mayoral election. Both candidates addressed issues such as homelessness, recent wildfires and public safety, while moderators pressed them on their records and future plans.
Columnist Lorraine Ali noted that Raman entered the debate with a polling lead, saying her task was to keep Bass off balance, but observed that Bass appeared “composed, confident and in command of the conversation.” Ali added that Raman frequently looked down at her notes, which contrasted with Bass’s more direct delivery.
“Raman was ahead in the polls headed into tonight’s mayoral debate, so her job wasn’t quite as hard as Bass’, who is fighting for her political life,” Ali wrote.
Gustavo Arellano highlighted Raman’s opening line that echoed former President Ronald Reagan and questioned whether residents felt better off than four years ago, while also critiquing Bass’s record during her first term.
“Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Raman asked, looking directly into the camera.
Steve Lopez argued that the debate could still influence undecided voters, noting Bass’s “better command of the moment” and Raman’s need to clarify her positions on issues such as the LAPD, the mansion tax and the Inside Safe homeless initiative.
“It may come down to whether older voters, who are likely to favor Bass, turn out in greater numbers than younger voters, who are likely to favor Raman,” Lopez wrote.
Both columnists pointed out that viewership of the debate appeared limited, suggesting its impact on the broader electorate might be modest. The discussion also touched on the importance of mayor-council relations and the need for cooperation with state and federal partners to address city challenges.
As the campaign enters its final weeks, the candidates continue to court voters across the city, with the outcome of the debate expected to be one factor among many influencing the upcoming election.