LA Mayor and California Governor Candidates Face Off in Upcoming Debate Event

Candidates to Debate for Los Angeles Mayor and California Governor

Candidates vying for the position of Mayor of Los Angeles and Governor of California will participate in two pivotal debates on Wednesday evening at the Skirball Cultural Center. The events, hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52, will provide a platform for the candidates to present their views just weeks before the significant California primary election.

Debate Details

The mayoral debate will commence at 5 p.m. with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass facing off against two challengers: Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality television personality Spencer Pratt. Following this, at 7 p.m., seven candidates aiming to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom will take the stage.

The discussions will cover five critical issues: wildfires, immigration, homelessness, public safety, and quality of life. This setting allows voters to engage with candidates on key topics that influence their communities.

Candidates in the Mayoral Debate

Karen Bass was elected as mayor in November 2022, having defeated businessman Rick Caruso. Her extensive political background includes serving in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Assembly.

Nithya Raman, a graduate of Harvard and MIT, has served Council District 4 since her election in 2020 and is currently seeking a second term.

Spencer Pratt has been critical of Mayor Bass, particularly regarding her handling of the 2025 wildfires, following his experience of losing homes in the Palisades Fire.

Candidates in the Gubernatorial Debate

The gubernatorial debate will feature seven candidates, comprising two Republicans and five Democrats:

• Xavier Becerra (D): Former U.S. Health Secretary and state attorney general.
• Chad Bianco (R): Riverside County Sheriff.
• Steve Hilton (R): Former adviser to the UK Prime Minister and Fox News host.
• Matt Mahan (D): Mayor of San Jose.
• Katie Porter (D): Former member of Congress.
• Tom Steyer (D): Environmental advocate and investor.
• Antonio Villaraigosa (D): Former Assembly Speaker and Los Angeles Mayor.

Moderators and Viewing Options

The debates will be moderated by NBC4 News anchor Colleen Williams, NBC4 chief political reporter Conan Nolan, and Noticiero Telemundo 52 anchor Enrique Chiabra.

Viewers can watch the debates live on NBC4 and Telemundo 52, as well as online via the broadcasters’ websites and mobile apps. Additionally, the events will be streamed across multiple NBC-owned and Telemundo-owned stations statewide.

Candidate Qualification Criteria

To qualify for the debates, candidates must have achieved at least 5% support in two reliable polls conducted within the current year, adhering to NBC News standards for polling accuracy and methodology.

Venue Information

The Skirball Cultural Center, located adjacent to the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, has served as a public cultural institution since 1996, featuring a museum and various educational programs.

Key Dates for the Primary Election

Important dates leading up to the June primary election include:

• May 5-June 2: All counties must open ballot drop-off locations.
• May 18: Deadline for voter registration for the primary election.
• May 19-June 2: Same-day voter registration will be available, allowing provisional ballots.
• May 23: Vote centers will open in Voter’s Choice Act counties.
• June 2: Vote centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.