There are several ways to interpret, accurately or not, the results of Tuesday’s mayoral primary in Los Angeles: Anger won the day with most voters backing billionaire Rick Caruso who wants to “clean up L.A.” Or big money triumphed, with Caruso outspending Rep. Karen Bass by 12 to 1 and blanketing the city with his message. Or perhaps apathy was the big winner, with voter turnout still frustratingly low despite the media blitz, the change in election dates and the high stakes of the mayor’s race.
After the hot takes have cooled, Los Angeles voters should turn their attention to the details. In local government, details matter, and the primary election has been nearly devoid of them.
With the mayor’s race down to two candidates — Caruso and Bass — and months till the November runoff, it’s time to move beyond the slogans and soundbites. The two candidates must now share detailed plans of how they will deliver the change Angelenos want.
