Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is withdrawing from a May 13 candidate forum — with just over two weeks to go before the primary election that could decide her fate.
Bass, who sparred with former reality TV star Spencer Pratt (MTV’s “The Hills”) and Democratic socialist city councilwoman Nithya Raman on the debate stage last week, pulled out of the forum despite previously confirming her attendance.
League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles and the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs issued a statement on Bass’s apparent reversal, saying, “Mayor Bass’s withdrawal is disappointing. Public forums such as this are a cornerstone of democratic accountability. 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.”
The organizations touted their joint history of sponsoring candidate events that were presented in a fair and balance fashion, and allowed candidates across all parties to address the issues that mattered most.
“We remain committed to providing voters with meaningful opportunities to engage with those seeking public office,” the statement concluded.
Campaign spokesperson Alex Stack explained that Bass had decided to forgo the candidate forum because she’d already debated her “top two” opponents — referring to Raman and Pratt — and would instead be “in Sacramento that day fighting for funding for housing, homelessness, and Palisades Fire recovery, and will also discuss the city and state partnership on the Olympics and World Cup.”
Several of those topics — particularly homelessness, housing, and the Palisades Fire — were topics of heated exchanges during the previous debate. Pratt, who lost his home in the Palisades Fire, challenged both Bass and Raman directly over their actions (or lack thereof) that he claims exacerbated the deadly blaze.
Three candidates are still expected to participate in the Wednesday forum: Raman, Adam Miller and Rae Huang. Pratt was initially invited to participate but had declined due to a prior scheduling conflict.
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