LA Mayoral Candidates Heat Up In Debate
BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — As the runoff election for the next mayor of Los Angeles heats up, candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel faced off in a debate.
The election is just four weeks away, and as key issues were debated, things got a bit fiery.
"Let's get back to the issues instead of throwing these negative attacks back and forth at one another," Garcetti said at the podium. "I just think its the sign of a desperate and losing campaign."
As the mediator began to introduce the next topic, Greuel defended herself.
"I just have to respond, because I think it is fair," Greuel said. "My opponent was the one who questioned my integrity."
The candidates also debated economic development for an hour, touching on pension reform and the budget issue.
The topics of the city's traffic issues, as well as fighting crime were also debated.
The main issue was focused around creating jobs and keeping them in Los Angeles.
"I think it starts with our high schools," Councilman Garcetti suggested. "I've been talking in this campaign about something called 'Silicon South' that I'm working on, to take the idea of Silicon Beach and bring it to South LA."
City Controller Wendy Greuel also spoke about her plan for jobs in Los Angeles.
"I have a jobs plan as part of the 'Lead LA Forward' I've put out there," Greuel said. "I would like to see us get rid of the gross receipts tax [and] architect a business tax reform to be a more business friendly city."
According to the Los Angeles Times, Eric Garcetti has taken a controlling ten-point lead over Greuel. However, both candidates suggested that current polls take a back seat to election day.
"I have seen a lot of polls, many of which have us neck-and-neck", Greuel said. "So the best poll is the day of election day."
Poll leader Eric Garcetti agreed that there is no reason to get too excited about previous polls.
"That's just a snap-shot," Garcetti said. "It's nice to have four polls in a row that have had me between seven and ten points, but the only polls that matter are the ones that are starting today and ending on May 21."
