Five candidates for Los Angeles mayor participate in their first televised debate on January 28, 2013 at UCLA. Credit: NBC LA
The L.A. mayoral candidates have been trumpeting their endorsements, but there’s one big fish yet to land: SEIU Local 721, the powerful union that represents roughly 10,000 City Hall employees. The Service Employees International Union has yet to throw their weight behind a candidate, even though they met with the four leading candidates - City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Councilmembers Jan Perry and Eric Garcetti and attorney Kevin James - two months ago. But there are signs the nod will come soon; they’ve called Greuel and Garcetti back for a second interview, to be held this evening.
It’s no secret that the union was unhappy with current mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council after budget cuts led to recent layoffs of over 350 city workers. Garcetti, who was council president at the time of that decision, is no doubt in for some tough questioning by the union.
Which candidate will inspire city workers to get out the member vote? What promises will he or she have to make? Does the union endorsement mean the election?
Guest:
David Zahniser, reporter with The Los Angeles Times
Airtalk hosts a debate between the four leading mayoral candidates, live in our Crawford Family Forum, moderated by Larry Mantle. Wednesday, February 6th at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Submit your questions for the candidates on the event page:
http://www.scpr.org/events/2013/02/06/airtalk-los-angeles-mayoral-debate