“If elected, I will make full use of executive authority to promote interests of Los Angeles residents.”

LOS ANGELES:- In the first public debate ahead of the mayoral election on November 3, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman staked their respective claims to the city’s future leadership by presenting contrasting arguments—aimed at garnering electoral support—on issues such as homelessness, public safety, and urban services.

Although City Council member Raman and Mayor Karen Bass attempted to prove their own merit by trading blame, both contenders have served together during a term in Greater Los Angeles.

In her closing remarks at a debate hosted by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, the progressive Raman stated that she is running for office because she loves Los Angeles, while accusing the city of becoming “directionless” under Bass’s leadership.

In the debate, Raman said, “My 10-year-old twins have only one chance to grow up here. They cannot wait four years for change. Angelenos, we must raise our expectations.”

While acknowledging Bass’s extensive experience in public service, Raman asserted that change was possible only under her leadership, envisioning a Los Angeles that could become an “affordable, well-run, safe, joyful, and ambitious” city.

Raman stated that, as a mere member of the City Council, her authority to advance legislation was limited; she accused Mayor Karen Bass—the city’s chief executive—of failing to deliver results despite possessing executive powers.

During the debate, Raman said, “If elected, I will make full use of executive authority to promote the interests of Los Angeles residents.”

Homelessness was another major point of contention. Noting that Bass has been mayor for four years, Raman argued that residents have not seen sufficient results. She pointed to homelessness as the clearest example of this. “In my district, homelessness has decreased because of the continuous focus on this issue,” Raman said. “I don’t want to see people sleeping on the streets.”

Stating that concrete steps, leadership, management, data, and monitoring are required to reduce homelessness, she pointed out a lack of leadership at ‘City Hall.’

Raman also criticized the state of basic urban services, highlighting issues such as broken streetlights, potholes, and the deplorable condition of the sidewalks.

Highlighting her administration’s achievements, Mayor Bass stated, “During my tenure, we have helped move hundreds of people off the streets and accelerated the construction process for 42,000 housing units.”

Raman criticized LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, stating that his response to the raids “did not meet the demands of the situation.”

Bass countered by stating that the authority to remove the police chief rests with the mayor. “If desired, dismissing the police chief is not difficult,” Bass said.

Bass accused Raman of being difficult to work with, alleging that she lacked the support of any of her colleagues. Bass remarked, “How can she run the city when the administration requires collaboration with the City Council?”

Baas added, “The City Council and City Hall are not educational institutions.” “She does not work; she only studies.” Criticizing Raman again, she said, “Merely studying will not achieve the city residents’ goals.”