Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted an off-the-record meeting in Los Angeles to introduce mayoral candidate Nithya Raman to influential figures from Hollywood, business and the non-profit sector, according to people with direct knowledge of the gathering.
The meeting took place at Schwarzenegger’s Los Angeles office last week, giving attendees the opportunity to question Raman about her plans for tackling the city’s problems.
Some guests were surprised that the former Republican governor had agreed to host Raman, who is a democratic socialist. However, people familiar with the event said some initially sceptical attendees left impressed after hearing her pitch.
Those present included at least seven representatives from United Talent Agency, which represents Schwarzenegger, including his agent Jim Berkus. An executive from investment and advisory firm Main Street Advisors also attended.
Other guests included the chief executive of After-School All Stars, the non-profit founded by Schwarzenegger to provide free programmes for children in underserved communities, as well as the chief executive of the LA Cleantech Incubator.
The director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy was also among those in the room, alongside builders and other clean-technology executives.
Schwarzenegger has regularly brought together figures from Hollywood and business with policymakers. With polls showing Raman as the favourite to become Los Angeles’s next mayor, the meeting allowed influential Angelenos to hear from her directly.
Raman is running against incumbent mayor Karen Bass.
Daniel Ketchell, Schwarzenegger’s chief of staff, said: “Arnold’s always interested in bringing together business, Hollywood, and policy leaders to discuss solutions to our biggest problems.”
Ketchell said Raman faced tough questions, with no restrictions on what attendees could ask, and handled herself well. He added that Schwarzenegger has not endorsed her and generally stays out of political races to concentrate on policy.
