A much-anticipated debate featuring leading candidates in the Los Angeles mayor\u2019s race is set for Cinco de Mayo before the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. But it won\u2019t include all the leading candidates. <\/p>\n
The influential homeowners group has invited just incumbent Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman, and not the three other top contenders Spencer Pratt, Adam Miller and Rae Huang.<\/p>\n
The group explained its decision by saying that big, crowded debates can often feel chaotic.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than hosting a stage filled with a long list of candidates, we have chosen to invite these two leaders specifically because they represent Sherman Oaks on two critical \u2014 and complementary \u2014 levels of government. This format allows for a deeper, more meaningful discussion about the issues that directly impact our neighborhood and our city,\u201d the group wrote in its description of the debate.<\/p>\n
Some of the other top candidates took issue with being excluded. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf the SOHA wanted a real debate on topics like public housing, a public bank, free and fast transit, and the things that matter to Angelenos all over the city, they should call off their gate-keeping process that keeps the system and the establishment protected,\u201d Huang spokesman Emel Shaikh said in a statement. <\/p>\n
From the Miller camp, spokesperson Jaime Sarachit called it \u201ca missed opportunity for these voters not to hear directly from a candidate offering a different approach to solving L.A.\u2019s biggest issues, especially on housing, homelessness and public safety.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pratt didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
Angelenos could have a chance to see more of the major candidates the next day, May 6, for a televised debate featuring Colleen Williams and Conan Nolan of NBC4 and Enrique Chiabra of Telemundo 52. KNBC hasn\u2019t yet confirmed the lineup, but the station said to participate candidates must have received at least 5% support in two reliable 2026 polls. <\/p>\n
You\u2019re reading the L.A. on the Record newsletter <\/p>\n
Sign up to make sense of the often unexplained world of L.A. politics.<\/p>\n
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service<\/a>, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy<\/a> such as personalizing your experience and ads. <\/p>\n Homeless camp skirmish<\/p>\n Raman scouted out a Harbor Freeway overpass in South L.A. last month after parents at nearby 61st Street Elementary voiced concerns about a homeless camp that students had to pass on their way to school. Raman documented her visit with a post on Instagram, saying \u201cthese parents have tried again and again to get someone to listen to their needs \u2014 and again and again their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.\u201d<\/p>\n But when City Councilmember Curren Price on Tuesday proposed making the area an anti-encampment zone under the city\u2019s municipal code 41.18, Raman voted against the motion, which passed anyway. <\/p>\n Raman routinely votes against 41.18 zones, saying that reducing homelessness requires connecting people to housing. <\/p>\n \u201cThis provision at best shifts encampments around a neighborhood.\u201d Raman said in a statement. \u201cOur working protocols are dependent on that. However, enforcement alone does not drive reductions in homelessness. What works is connecting people to shelter and housing.\u201d<\/p>\n That explanation didn\u2019t stop Bass and Curren, who represents the area in question, from throwing shade Raman\u2019s way. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is frustrating when efforts to move forward are met with opposition from those who are not fielding these calls, not hearing from parents, and not seeing these conditions firsthand,\u201d said Price spokesperson Angelina Valencia-Dumarot.<\/p>\n Bass campaign spokesman Alex Stack chimed in: \u201cRaman went to this very school to make an Instagram post<\/a> about how nobody was helping them, and then turned around three weeks later and voted to allow the encampments to return.\u201d <\/p>\n It\u2019s Miller Time!<\/p>\n Adam Miller has scooped up a couple of names from Bass\u2019 past. <\/p>\n Bill Burton, Miller\u2019s senior advisor, who was a deputy press secretary under then-President Barack Obama \u2014 also moonlighted for Bass\u2019 2022 mayoral campaign as a stand-in for Rick Caruso<\/a> during Bass\u2019 debate prep, though he didn\u2019t work for the campaign in a formal role.<\/p>\n Burton said during that campaign that the race between Bass and Caruso was \u201cessentially a Democrat versus a Republican.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Now, Burton is running the campaign for Miller, who voted for Caruso in 2022,<\/a> though he describes himself as a lifelong Democrat. <\/p>\n Separately, Sarah Leonard Sheahan, who worked as Bass\u2019 communications director on her 2022 campaign, is working as a consultant for the Miller campaign. <\/p>\n Leonard Sheahan said in a statement that the city needs an outsider. <\/p>\n \u201cThat is why I decided to work with Adam Miller,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Lauren Perez-Rangel, who also worked on Bass\u2019 2022 campaign as a spokesperson, is also working for Miller.<\/p>\n State of play<\/p>\n \u2014 BUDGET: Mayor Bass released her $14.9-billion spending plan<\/a> Monday, which included a proposal to hire 510 police officers \u2014 roughly enough to cover retirements and resignations. The budget must be approved by the City Council, and will be the subject of weeks of hearings.<\/p>\n \u2014 COVER UP: The Department of Water & Power has drained the Santa Ynez Reservoir<\/a> in Pacific Palisades to replace the damaged floating cover, frustrating residents who fear there won\u2019t be water to fight potential wildfires. <\/p>\n \u2014 EYE OF THE STORMWATER: Los Angeles officials announced a $40-million project at MacArthur Park<\/a> this week that\u2019s aimed at turning rainstorm runoff into lake water \u2014 and maybe improving the park\u2019s tarnished reputation as well. The project will also include new landscaping, walking paths and other features to enhance the location\u2019s appeal as a park.<\/p>\n \u2014 LAHSA LAYOFFS: The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced Monday it plans to lay off nearly 300 employees<\/a>, citing the county\u2019s decision to withdraw funding and set up its own homeless services department.<\/p>\n \u2014 INTO THE BREACH: After the massive leak of LAPD files due to a data breach in the L.A. city attorney\u2019s office, officials are seeking explanations<\/a> from the city\u2019s top lawyer. City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said she expected City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto to appear before a council committee this week about the data leak. \u201cWhen did the city attorney\u2019s office become aware, what actions were taken, and why were city officials not notified promptly?\u201d Jurado said. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re still left to question and trying to assemble the information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 CULTURE OF FEAR: In the LAFD, firefighters rarely question orders because doing so could invite retribution from bosses. That culture was evident in firefighters\u2019 testimony about the Lachman fire<\/a>, which reignited into the Palisades fire days later.<\/p>\n QUICK HITSWhere is Inside Safe? The mayor\u2019s signature program was in Echo Park and Venice this week, bringing inside more than 40 Angelenos and clearing eight RVs and trailers off the streets. That\u2019s it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com<\/a>. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here<\/a> to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
On the docket next week: The City Council will continue to meet to speak about Bass\u2019 proposed budget. Stay in touch<\/p>\n