Wave Wire Services
VALLEY GLEN — Four of the five major Los Angeles mayoral candidates appeared May 20 at a forum at Valley College in a bid to distinguish themselves ahead of the June 2 primary, — the same day President Donald Trump stopped short of endorsing but showed support for challenger Spencer Pratt.
Earlier in the day, in response to a question, Trump said he’d like Pratt to do well.
“He’s a character,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County Maryland. “I don’t know. I don’t know him. I assume he probably supports me. Does he support me? I think so, yeah, I heard he does. I heard he’s a big MAGA person. He’s doing well.”
Pratt is a registered Republican and former reality TV star, but he hasn’t identified as MAGA, and has noted the mayoral primary is nonpartisan, like all local elections in California.
Later in the day, Pratt — who has been among the top three candidates in recent polls — was notably absent from the forum, in which four of the other major candidates did attend.
Organizers of the event said Pratt was invited but did not confirm his attendance.
A representative for Pratt’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The event, hosted by the college and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, consisted of 20-minute one-on-one conversations between candidates and moderator Alex Cohen, the national political anchor for Spectrum News 1, rather than a traditional debate format.
Mayor Karen Bass, City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, businessman Adam Miller and community advocate Rae Huang took the opportunity to answer questions and highlight their platforms on homelessness, housing affordability, public safety, transportation, government accountability and preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Miller talked about his background as a businessman and nonprofit founder. He reiterated that the city needs better results.
“You have to set a vision,” he said. “You have to align a team to the goals. You have to operate with excellence, measure results and hold people accountable.
“That’s how you deliver effective outcomes, and that’s what the city desperately needs.”
He called for an increase to police officers with a goal of hiring 2,000 more officers to increase the force from roughly 8,550 to more than 10,000.
Miller also discussed his `”7×7 Plan,’” which outlines seven areas with seven goals to improve the city through immediate actions vested under the mayor’s power.
“I’m the only candidate that not only has nonprofit experience and operational experience, but extensive business experience,” Miller said. “A lot of things that we’re doing in this city are anti-business, anti-real estate, and putting us in the position that we’re in today.”
Huang, a political newcomer like Miller, touted her ability to coalesce partnerships and community.
“I do strongly believe that there are ways to bring people together, and it’s by building true, honest relationships, and also being accountable and transparent about where you want to go together,” Huang said, who is a Democratic socialist.
Huang described her vision of implementing a capital infrastructure plan to guide city departments and offices. She also sees a different government structure where “everyday ordinary Angelenos” are co-partners in building the city.
“For too long, we’ve been leaving them out of the process,” she said. “They don’t know what’s happening in City Hall. They have to find out through sitting in meetings, and then only being able to speak at public comment for just one or two minutes.”
Huang defended her previous statements about removing Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, if elected on day one. She talked about her plans to bolster funding for alternative crisis response models, in which unarmed mental health service providers or other workers help residents under mental duress.
She argued that under the Bass administration the LAPD’s budget has become “extraordinarily bloated,” as part of efforts to hire more officers and expand security ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“I do believe here in one of the most creative cities in the whole world, we can have a bigger imagination to ensure that Angelenos are actually meeting the public safety needs that we have in the city,” Huang said.
Bass touted her relationships, shouting out City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez who was in attendance, and represents the 7th Council District in the San Fernando Valley.
The incumbent talked about her accomplishments in addressing homeless encampments and fire risks in the Sepulveda Basin. She further touted her progress in reducing crime, homelessness and building more affordable housing.
Bass criticized Raman for her leadership as chair of the council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, alleging the councilwoman has “held up the funding or cut the funding, and has slowed down the process” related to housing and homelessness initiatives.
The incumbent also criticized Pratt for his previous remarks in which he described homeless people as “zombies.”
“He (Pratt) describes a population that he basically doesn’t know anything about,” Bass said.
Bass has faced criticism for her absence during the initial days of the January 2025 Palisades Fire. Critics described her efforts to help rebuild the Pacific Palisades as too slow or not enough to aid fire survivors.
While Bass has said she has led a reduction in street homelessness critics say her initiatives and programs are too costly and have failed to reach prior commitments.
Meanwhile, Raman focused her remarks on her plans to create more housing, address homelessness, fixing street lights and maintaining roads, among other issues. She’s also an advocate for the creation of more bike lanes and bolstering public transit.
The councilwoman led efforts to approve enhanced tenant protections, and cap rents at a lower percentage for rent-stabilized housing units, among other things.
Raman, who is a member of the Democratic Socialist of America — LA, did not receive an endorsement from the group but did receive a recommendation of support. DSA-LA City Council members Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto-Martinez and Ysabel Jurado have endorsed Bass for reelection.
If elected mayor, Raman said she would be a leader and come to work from a place of humility and willingness to learn, and to collaborate with colleagues even when they have political disagreements.
She recently received criticism from housing advocates for proposing amendments to Measure United to House LA. A panel of City Council members are discussing potential changes to the measure after reports showed it could be impacting the creation of affordable housing.
“To voters, I would say, who are looking at policy changes, I am a person who responds to evidence and changes my mind in the face of that evidence,” Raman said.
Participation in the forum was limited to candidates meeting criteria based on fundraising and polling benchmarks, according to organizers.
It was held a week after a debate scheduled for broadcast on Fox 11 was canceled after Bass and Raman withdrew from participating. That debate, organized by the League of Women Voters and the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, had invited Bass, Raman, Miller, Huang and Pratt. Pratt declined to participate, citing a scheduling conflict.
