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GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES
As the primary election draws near, we're trying something different.
There's no question that debates have their place, letting voters hear from multiple candidates on a range of issues in a short period of time.
Still, debates rarely allow candidates to explain their platforms in depth, without worrying about how much airtime they are capturing.
This year, LAist has partnered with Loyola Marymount University for a series of one-on-one conversations with candidates vying to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.
These longform conversations allow candidates the breathing room to make their best case to voters like you and go into greater detail on the ways they are hoping to govern the city and their reasons for running. These conversations are taking place over the next month in front of a live audience and will be added to this page as they take place.
Larry Mantle is serving as the mediator of these conversations. He has hosted AirTalk on LAist 89.3 for more than 40 years and brings a lifetime's worth of experience living in and reporting on California to the table.
About the conversations
Candidates from across the political spectrum who meet a combination of polling and funding thresholds have been invited to participate in this conversation series. We'll continue to publish those conversations as they take place over coming weeks.
Candidates will appear in alphabetical order below.
Meet the candidates
Larry Mantle interviewed Karen Bass on April 27 at Loyola Marymount University.
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Devin Feil/LMU
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Karen Bass
L.A. Mayor, former congressperson
The basics: Karen Bass is running for reelection to a second term as L.A.'s mayor. She previously served in Congress and the California State Assembly. She got her start in politics as a community organizer.
Listen to the full interview below:
Listen
28:25
Karen Bass' full interview with Larry Mantle
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Bass, who currently serves as the mayor of L.A., covered topics ranging from her homelessness approach to city infrastructure.
Larry Mantle interviewed Rae Huang on April 20 at Loyola Marymount University.
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Devin Feil/LMU
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Rae Huang
Presbyterian minister and community organizer
The basics: Huang is running for mayor. She is a Presbyterian minister and community organizer, and she’s served as the deputy director at Housing NOW! California, a coalition of organizations focused on housing affordability.
Listen to the full interview below:
Listen
25:55
Rae Huang's full interview with Larry Mantle
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Huang, a Presbyterian minister and community organizer, covered topics ranging from labor management to the size of the LAPD and the homelessness crisis.
Larry Mantle interviewed Adam Million on April 13 at Loyola Marymount University.
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Devin Feil
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LMU
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Adam Miller
Tech entrepreneur and nonprofit leader
The basics: Miller is a technology entrepreneur and nonprofit leader. He sold his Santa Monica-based company Cornerstone OnDemand in 2021 for approximately $5.2 billion. He’s founded several nonprofits with myriad missions, including Better Angels, which is focused on homelessness solutions.
Listen to the full interview below:
Listen
26:14
Adam Miller's full interview with Larry Mantle
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The Los Angeles mayoral candidate and tech entrepreneur covered topics ranging from homelessness to building permits.
More voter resources:
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Devin Feil
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Nithya Raman
L.A. City Council member
The basics: Raman is in the middle of her second term as an L.A. City Council member. Her district covers both sides of the Hollywood Hills, with Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Hancock Park, Hollywood, Silver Lake,and Los Feliz within the fourth. Prior to running for the council, she headed a homelessness nonprofit and was an entertainment industry advocacy organization CEO as well.
Listen to the full interview here:
Listen
26:05
Nithya Raman's full interview with Larry Mantle
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Raman, who currently sits on the L.A. City Council, covered topics ranging from homelessness to labor management.
Interviews are occurring throughout April and will be made available here as they happen.
What questions do you have about this election?
You ask, and we'll answer: Whether it's about who's funding the campaigns or how to track your ballot, we're here to help you understand the 2026 election