ADL is honored to have partnered with American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles to put on our third and final candidate forum of the election season. The event was hosted at the Jewish Federation and featured both candidates for Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass and Rick Caruso. The forum was hosted by journalist Alex Cohen of Spectrum News 1 and featured two separate conversations between Ms. Cohen and the candidates, focusing on five major themes: antisemitism, racism, representation, justice, and homelessness. While the event was live-streamed, a small in-person audience was able to ask the candidates additional questions about antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, supporting those in need in our city, how their backgrounds and identity impact their worldview, and how the candidates would manage the city and its employees as mayor.
During the event, Representative Bass and Mr. Caruso both strongly denounced the recent rise in antisemitic incidents and hate speech. Rep. Bass gave examples about during her early work in South LA, she would frequently have to speak out against hate speech from people in the community and educate them about the impact of their words. Mr. Caruso discussed how he strives to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at his properties, such as the Grove, while not tolerating hate speech and discrimination.
Rep. Bass spoke about her past experience growing up in a neighborhood in Los Angeles with many Jewish neighbors, including Holocaust survivors. Mr. Caruso spoke about his experience growing up in a family with immigrant grandparents and a father who was incarcerated. Both candidates also discussed the recent City Council scandal, emphasizing the need for the three council members to all resign.
Earlier this year, ADL and our partners hosted two additional campaign forums, one for the candidates for the Fifth City Council District and one for the final two candidates for the Third Supervisory District. You can view those programs online: CD 5 and Supervisory District 3. You can view the Mayoral Forum here. For more information about ADL’s Advocacy and Engagement work with government and elected officials, please contact us.
ADL Los Angeles, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, and the American Jewish Committee Los Angeles are non-partisan 501(c)3 organizations. We do not endorse or oppose individual candidates nor support a specific party. We do not take sides in electoral politics, and remarks made do not reflect the organizations’ positions.