LA Mayoral Candidates Debate Three Weeks Before Runoff Election
WESTWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles mayoral candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel continued to turn up the heat for their campaigns in another chippy debate on Monday.
The night marked the 50th debate of the election, according to Greuel.
Among the issues the debate touched on was whether Greuel, as city controller, was too easy with her audits on the Department of Water and Power.
Garcetti pointed out that the union that represents water and power workers has contributed nearly $4 million to her campaign.
"$3.9 million, that's a brand new record to buy this race," Councilman Garcetti said.
Greuel responded by saying
"I've stood up and said that there are problems with the department of water and power," Greuel said. "I've stood up and said that there needs to be pension reform, and it was not done under the leadership of my opponent. I stood up and said that they've made choices, that they're impacting the rate payers of the city of Los Angeles, and that was an important thing for me to stand up as well. I will continue to be one of those people who takes on my allies, and takes on every single issue that is important."
Meanwhile, Garcetti took criticism from Greuel that he restricted public discussion and debates of important issues as council president.
Greuel also received mixed criticism for her goal of adding 2,000 new police officers, despite the current financial state of the city, that can reportedly barely pay the officers it has, and has reduced public services.
The runoff election is May 21.
