Skip to content
Bramble

US

Bass and Raman court undecided voters in Los Angeles mayoral race

With about five weeks until the Nov. 3 election, Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman are competing for undecided voters. The two differed on Israel at a Jewish community forum.

2 outlets · 1L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Washington Examiner

The story, neutrally told

Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman, described by the New York Times as her onetime ally, are making their case to Los Angeles voters with about five weeks left before the election. The Washington Examiner reports that the two candidates diverged over Israel at a Jewish community forum held by Jewish Federation Los Angeles. Raman repeated her position that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and said she believes Israel has a right to exist. She also called the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement "a legitimate form of peaceful protest", while saying BDS is not part of her official platform.

Raman also defended appearing on Hasan Piker's show in May, saying candidates should speak to people on different platforms. The Examiner says the interview drew controversy over concerns that Piker holds antisemitic views. Bass said she does not agree that Israel is committing genocide and that she would oppose legislation to enact BDS at City Hall. The federation's CEO, Rabbi Noah Farkas, said that calling the Gaza war a genocide "causes pain". The federation said the term crosses a "red line" for elected officials.

A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll cited by the Examiner has Bass trailing Raman by 11 points, with roughly one-third of voters undecided. The poll's director, Mark DiCamillo, said Raman has the advantage but that an unusually large number of voters are undecided.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
The New York Times frames the story as a general contest for undecided voters between the incumbent and a former ally.
Emphasis
The candidates' relationship and the short time left before the election.
Leaves out or plays down
The available coverage does not mention the Israel and BDS split or the poll numbers.
For example
“Los Angeles Mayoral Candidates Vie for Undecided Voters” — The New York Times

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
The Washington Examiner leads with the Israel divide, presenting Raman as the progressive challenger and focusing on antisemitism and BDS.
Emphasis
Raman's genocide language, her Hasan Piker interview, the Jewish federation's criticism and Bass's contrasting stance.
Leaves out or plays down
Little on the candidates' positions on other city issues.
Charged language
“antisemitism, which is surging in the city”“progressive rival”
For example
“Bass splits from progressive rival on Israel in LA mayoral race” — Washington Examiner