Karen Bass Stumbles in 1st Head-to-Head Debate Since 34% Primary Finish
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 20
Karen Bass Stumbles in 1st Head-to-Head Debate Since 34% Primary Finish
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 20
Summary
Sherman Oaks gave Nithya Raman a breakthrough moment Wednesday as a heavily pro-Bass audience increasingly applauded the challenger while the mayor interrupted, complained about time limits and struggled in exchanges.
Bass hurt herself by leaning on personal attacks—mocking Raman as too academic, questioning her missed votes and even likening street taco vendors to homeless encampments—rather than offering a broader case for a second term.
Raman, by contrast, delivered more concrete answers than in earlier debates and landed a standout rebuke: “You gotta let me answer, Mayor Bass. This is my time.”
The weak showing deepened problems for Bass’s reelection bid after her 34% primary result, fallout from a fake poll promoted by her campaign and scrutiny tied to the Boyle Heights Lineage fire.
Raman still faces a steep climb because Bass retains stronger fundraising and backing from much of Los Angeles’ political, labor, police and business establishment.