Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman will participate in a debate at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center. This event, beginning at 7 p.m. PT, will be available for streaming on Zoom. Phil Shuman from Fox 11 will serve as the lead moderator. The debate has been organized by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association and co-sponsored by both the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council and the Sherman Oaks/Encino Chamber of Commerce.
Background on the Candidates
Both Bass and Raman advanced to the November 3 runoff election following a contentious primary. Bass secured 34% of the primary votes, while Raman received 29%. Spencer Pratt, known from reality television, ranked third and did not proceed to the runoff.
Challenges for the Candidates
The upcoming debate will see a standing-room-only crowd as the two candidates engage for the first time since the primary in June. Voters have expressed dissatisfaction with incumbents, creating a challenging environment for both Bass and Raman. Additionally, Bass faces scrutiny over recent controversies, including a deleted social media post citing inaccurate polling data.
Raman must navigate her association with the Democratic Socialist movement, especially after initially supporting Bass. She now seeks to appeal to both her base and Spencer Pratt’s supporters, aiming to mitigate any negative perceptions.
The State of the Race
The debate marks the beginning of intensified campaigning for the mayoral race. No credible public polls have been conducted since the primary. However, Bass has outpaced Raman in fundraising efforts, collecting over $510,000 in June, while Raman raised just over $170,000.
The absence of Spencer Pratt in the debate may shift dynamics as he previously drew significant attention during primary debates. His next moves remain uncertain, as does the direction his supporters will take in the runoff.
Watching the Debate
The debate is hosted by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association and will start at 7 p.m. PT. Additional details about streaming on Zoom can be found on the organization’s website. LAist.com will also stream the audio.
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