A Telemundo debate resulted in this colloquy between the moderator and mayoral candidate Rick Caruso:
"The next mayor of Los Angeles will be either an African American woman or a white man." Elvir said, referring to Bass and Caruso respectively.
"I'm Italian," Caruso shot back in apparent objection.
"Italian American," Elvir responded.
"That's 'Latin,' thank you," Caruso said in an apparent attempt to correct Elvir.
Caruso's reference to his Italian heritage was widely mocked, exacerbated by his apparent suggestion that he is "Latin," seen as a silly ploy to associate himself with Latinos who make up a substantial part of the LA electorate.
