Live Face-Off Between Bass and Raman
Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman will debate at 7 p.m. The event, hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52, will air live on both channels and stream online at nbcla.com and telemundo52.com. The debate, occurring three weeks before Election Day, comes as Raman’s campaign gains momentum. A recent Berkeley IGS/L.A. Times poll shows 39% of likely voters support her, compared to 28% for Bass. However, 33% of voters remain undecided.
This race represents a generational divide. Younger voters lean towards Raman, while older ones prefer Bass. Detailed candidate information is available in the voter guide.
Live Analysis
Columnists will provide live commentary during the debate. Ali notes the high stakes for both candidates, despite some Angelenos not knowing about the debate. Raman is still unfamiliar to many, even with her lead in the polls. She needs to define herself beyond merely being the alternative to Bass. Meanwhile, Bass must defend her record and address voters’ desire for change.
Ali encourages viewers to tune in, acknowledging L.A.’s future requires attention.
Debate Highlights
The final televised debate between Bass and Raman provides significant observation points:
- **Police Chief Politics**: Bass criticized Raman for participating in an Instagram video calling for Police Chief Jim McDonnell’s removal. Raman clarified her words were directed at Trump, not McDonnell. Watch to see Bass’s approach to this issue and whether Raman outlines her timeline for replacing McDonnell.
- **Candidate Composure**: In a previous debate, Raman struggled to find her footing against Bass’s experience. With recent polling in her favor, observe if she demonstrates more confidence. Will Bass increase her attacks compared to their August debate?
- **Wildfire Accountability**: Wildfires from January 2025 have yet to feature prominently in debates between Bass and Raman. This may be Raman’s last opportunity to highlight Bass’s liabilities regarding this issue.
Debate Details
Organized with Loyola Marymount University, this debate runs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be moderated by NBC4’s Colleen Williams, chief political reporter Conan Nolan, and Telemundo 52’s Alejandra Ortiz. Follow live coverage from L.A. Times. Both NBC4 and Telemundo 52, along with LAist on 89.3 FM, will stream the debate live.