Los Angeles voters criticized Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman after a contentious debate that several attendees described as “disgraceful,” Fox News Digital reported. Bass, the incumbent, and Raman, a democratic socialist and member of the City Council, are locked in a runoff for mayor following an earlier, unsuccessful bid by Republican Spencer Pratt, the outlet said.
Stacey Segarra Bohlinger, who until July served on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, told Fox News Digital she found both candidates lacking. “Both bad,” she said, adding, “I wish they could both lose.” Bohlinger said she initially supported Raman but now sees “no substantive differences between the two of them,” and criticized both candidates’ responses to recent fires and approaches to homelessness.
Encino resident and City Hall critic Wayne Spindler told Fox News Digital that many attendees were upset and said the debate left little enthusiasm. “They don’t like either one of them. And a lot of them are going to walk out of this [debate] and not vote,” he said, but added he plans to vote for Raman. “You can’t write in Spencer,” he said, referring to Pratt.
Animal rights advocate Joey Tuccio, who previously supported Pratt, told Fox News Digital he was outraged and criticized Bass’s office for declining to work with his group on Skid Row. Tuccio said his group has rescued more than 150 animals and described severe problems on Skid Row, including overdoses, abandoned animals and children he said were being exploited. “I think that is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever heard in my life, and it’s disgraceful,” he said.
Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council President Howard Katchen told Fox News Digital that comments by Bohlinger and committee member Gregory Wright were their personal opinions and did not represent the council. Katchen called the debate a success, saying it drew more than 400 in-person attendees, more than 700 virtual viewers and an NPR LAist broadcast that he said reached about 500,000 listeners, and he reiterated that neighborhood councils do not endorse candidates. Fox News Digital contacted the Bass and Raman campaigns for comment.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
