Los Angeles mayoral candidates Karen Bass and Nithya Raman clashed over climate policy and emergency preparedness at a South Los Angeles forum on Thursday, while both sought support from voters who backed reality television personality Spencer Pratt in June’s primary.
The contest between the incumbent mayor and her progressive challenger has entered a sharper phase ahead of the 3 November runoff, with wildfires, industrial pollution and the city’s response to disasters emerging as key points of difference.
The event was organised by a coalition of environmental justice, labour, public health and community groups, including the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club and Communities for a Better Environment. The candidates took part in separate, moderated conversations rather than a conventional head-to-head debate.
Both addressed the Palisades Fire and the Lineage warehouse fire, two incidents that have intensified scrutiny of Los Angeles’s emergency planning and response.
Ms Bass defended the city’s environmental reputation and pointed to changes made during her administration, including the appointment of a new fire chief.
“We have an international and national reputation for our work on environmental concerns,” she said.
“We need to be proactive. That’s something we’ve already started doing. We weren’t before. We have a new fire chief.”
The new Los Angeles Fire Department chief is Jaime Moore, a veteran deputy chief appointed by Ms Bass after a nationwide search in October 2025. The mayor’s office said his priorities included disaster preparation, pre-deployment of resources, staffing and improved emergency response.
Ms Raman argued that Los Angeles had lost its position as a leader on climate policy and needed to rebuild its capacity before the next crisis struck.
“Los Angeles needs to lead again on climate,” she said.
She called for greater attention to preparation, staffing and the ability to send emergency resources into neighbourhoods in advance of a disaster.
“Preparation, staffing, and ensuring emergency response is available to go out to neighbourhoods in advance of emergency is an essential part of what the city needs to be doing,” Ms Raman said.
Homelessness inquiry adds pressure on Karen Bass
The environmental forum took place as Ms Bass faced a separate political challenge over Los Angeles’s homelessness spending.
The House subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency has asked her to testify at a hearing on 15 September and requested documents relating to the use of federal funds by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
The committee said it was investigating possible waste, fraud and abuse involving federal grants intended to address homelessness. Ms Bass was asked about the inquiry as she left the forum.
“Talking to my lawyers about it right now,” she said when asked whether she planned to testify.
The mayor is seeking a second term while defending her record on homelessness, one of the most persistent issues in the race.
Nithya Raman defends Democratic Socialists backing
Ms Raman was also questioned about the endorsement she received from the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America shortly before the forum.
The organisation said the endorsement was approved by more than 60 per cent of members who took part in an online vote. It gives Ms Raman additional backing from a group that helped build her political support before she was elected to the City Council.
She rejected suggestions that the endorsement should define her entire campaign, describing DSA-LA as one element of a wider progressive alliance.
“You know, the DSA is a part of my big, broad progressive coalition,” Ms Raman said. “Not every piece of the coalition is going to agree with each other. I know that.”
Race turns to Spencer Pratt supporters
With Mr Pratt eliminated from the contest after finishing third in the primary, his former supporters have become an important target for both campaigns.
Ms Bass offered a terse response when asked how she intended to win them over.
“Running on my record,” she said.
Ms Raman said she believed many of those voters had backed Mr Pratt out of frustration with the direction of the city rather than from firm allegiance to his campaign.
“I think people voted for Spencer Pratt for the same reason I ran for mayor,” she said. “They were frustrated with a broken Los Angeles.”
She added: “I commit to changing that. I welcome everyone who voted for Pratt to vote for change in November.”
The general municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, 3 November 2026. No further debates have been announced.
