A scheduled televised forum intended to be the final major debate before the June 2 primary has been canceled, highlighting a fragmented landscape of candidate priorities as the Los Angeles mayoral race intensifies.
Debate Cancellation and Candidate Viability
The event, originally set for May 13 and hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, was slated to air on Fox 11. The forum was intended to feature incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, 4th District Council Member Nithya Raman, housing advocate Rae Huang, and tech entrepreneur Adam Miller. Spencer Pratt was not confirmed for the event due to a scheduling conflict.
The forum collapsed after Mayor Bass withdrew from the event. This prompted Nithya Raman to also pull out, as she viewed the forum specifically as an opportunity to “debate the incumbent,” according to a joint statement from the organizers.
The decision to cancel the event left only Huang and Miller, who may not be viewed as sufficiently viable for Fox airtime. According to an Emerson College Polling survey released May 13, both candidates are polling in the single digits, with Miller at 7 percent and Huang at 4 percent.
Organizers expressed that they were “very disappointed” by the outcome, noting that such forums are critical because “these forums provide voters with the opportunity to hear candidates share their perspectives, respond to questions and engage with one another on issues facing Los Angeles.”
Divergent Campaign Strategies
With the televised forum cancelled, candidates have pivoted to varied methods of voter engagement:
- Spencer Pratt: Has focused on a heavy social media strategy, which included an appearance on a podcast with Joe Rogan.
- Rae Huang: Has engaged in grassroots outreach by setting up tables at colleges with free pizza and granting an interview to local photographer Jonathan Hale.
- Bass and Raman: Both candidates participated in a highly attended debate hosted by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, where crowds reportedly spilled into the courtyard and clamored at the entrance to hear the incumbent and her former supporter.
Progressive Divide and Endorsements
The race is seeing a distinct split within the progressive camp. While Nithya Raman has not received an explicit endorsement from Bernie Sanders—who backed her six years ago for City Council—or the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA-LA), the DSA has included her as a recommendation in its voter guide.
Rae Huang has resisted calls to avoid splitting the progressive vote, stating she is not withdrawing from the race. Huang argued that Raman is “part of the establishment” and stated she does “not consider Nithya to be a progressive candidate.”
Real Estate Backing for Pratt
Financial support for Spencer Pratt continues to grow among prominent real estate figures. Tracy Tutor recently donated $1,000 to his campaign, stating that “Spencer Pratt is saying things that many Angelenos have been thinking for years but won’t say out loud” and asserting that he is not “manufactured.”
Tutor joins a list of other industry supporters, including Newmark’s Jay Luchs, Beverly Hills Estates’ Jacqueline Chernov, Westside Estate Agency’s Kurt Rappaport, and billionaire apartment developer Geoff Palmer.
Friction Over the “Mansion Tax”
Beyond the mayoral race, tensions are rising regarding Measure United to House Los Angeles. During a Friday meeting, the ad hoc committee tasked with evaluating ULA matters before they reach the full council saw a conflict emerge between the two present members over the interpretation of data from a Los Angeles Housing Department analysis on proposed exemptions.
This discord over competing studies suggests that disagreements regarding the so-called mansion tax could remain a significant headwind for the committee’s progress.
Looking Ahead
As the June 2 primary approaches, the lack of a final televised debate may limit the opportunities for voters to see the frontrunners engage directly on a broad platform. The race is likely to be influenced by whether Raman’s recommendation by the DSA-LA helps her advance, and it is widely assumed that the contest may move toward a November run-off.