Culture news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Dustin Lance Black backs Karen Bass after Raman reception absence
Oscar-winning writer Dustin Lance Black has withdrawn his support for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman, saying she missed a campaign reception she had asked him to host and that her staff gave no warning. He has endorsed incumbent Karen Bass, arguing that showing up and experience matter to the city.
The race is close: a UC Berkeley and Los Angeles Times poll found Bass and Raman tied at 40 per cent, while an earlier poll gave Raman an 11-point lead. Bass has warned that Raman’s pledge to replace the LAPD chief could prompt officers to leave and create confusion; Raman’s campaign had not responded to the Daily Mail’s request for comment in the article.
In short
- Dustin Lance Black switched his endorsement to Karen Bass.
- He said Raman missed an event she asked him to host.
- Polls show a close Los Angeles mayoral race.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Black’s endorsement of Bass can be seen as a reasonable judgement that reliability and experience matter in a demanding mayoral role. In a close race, Bass’s supporters may also view her warning about replacing the police chief as a serious concern about retaining officers and maintaining continuity in public safety.
The case against
Raman’s supporters could argue that one missed reception, without her account of what happened, is too little evidence to judge her commitment or suitability. They may see her pledge on police leadership as a legitimate effort to change the department’s direction, and argue that voters should weigh her wider record and plans rather than an opponent’s warning alone.
Explained simply
Los Angeles elects its mayor to lead the city government, which oversees services such as policing, housing and transport. Karen Bass is the incumbent mayor, while Nithya Raman is a city council member seeking to replace her.
Dustin Lance Black is a screenwriter and political supporter whose endorsement can draw attention, though voters make the choice. The contest matters because the next mayor will set priorities for a large, diverse city, and the candidates differ over leadership and policing.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Oscar-winning writer blasts woke LA mayoral favorite Nithya Raman for flaking out of party she asked him to organize, as current mayor warns city will become dystopia if she wins”.