Five mayoral frontrunners participate in forum at Valley College

Mayor Bass and moderator Alex Cohen discuss pressing voter issues on stage at Monarch Hall during a forum hosted by the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Michel Melichar for The Valley Star)

By: Michel Melichar, Staff Writer

Five mayoral candidates for the 2026 California primaries gathered in Valley’s Monarch Hall for a debate about the city’s future. 

Rising housing and food prices along with stagnant wages have been hot-button issues discussed during previous debates with voters eager to hear each candidate's plans to address these issues in time for the 2028 Olympics.

The event was hosted by Valley College and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce with the debate moderated by Alex Cohen, a morning news anchor for Spectrum News. This was the third mayoral debate this voting season with a later debate hosted by Streets for All Los Angeles being held this Saturday.

The campus has hosted similar mayoral forums during past election seasons like one that took place in 2013 featuring that year’s frontrunner candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel. 

“College is a great environment,” said Nancy Hoffman, president of the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, commenting on how Valley’s central position in the Valley allows for greater outreach as well as allowing for direct communication with student constituents. 

Early and mail-in voting commenced on May 5, with voting and drop-off

centers, like the ones on campus, closing by June 2 at 8 pm. 

Incumbent mayor Karen Bass (D), who’s running on homeless encampment clearing and increased police spending has been the target of criticism among voters and her constituents. 

Her approval rating has tanked to 37 percent in 2025 according to a joint poll conducted by UCLA and FM3, with 16 candidates on the ballot eyeing her seat. She has also been faulted as it concerns the Eaton and Palisades fires in early 2025, with reduced LAFD funding under her leadership leading to weakened emergency response.  

The other candidates participating in the debate include: 

Nithya Raman (D), current councilmember of the 4th district, who has a masters in urban planning and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Her campaign is committed  to more public and private housing, renters protection and increased public transportation funding and planning.

Rae Huang (D) is running as the “Zohran of Los Angeles,” mimicking his populist policies such as housing for all and free buses. She is the deputy directory of Housing NOW! California, a grassroots coalition of tenants dedicated to affordable housing. She has also been spotted alongside protesters during this year’s No Kings protest.  

Adam Miller (D) is a tech entrepreneur who wants to leverage technology to reduce government bureaucracy to make renting easier and cheaper, as well as increasing police and fire department funding and neighborhood presence.