Arnold Schwarzenegger Hosts Meeting with Nithya Raman and Los Angeles Leaders

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the last Republican governor of California, hosted Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, at his Santa Monica office last week. The meeting included Hollywood, business, and civic leaders, as confirmed by the California Post. The gathering lasted over an hour, during which attendees discussed various topics, including policing, the mansion tax, and unions. Schwarzenegger’s chief of staff, Daniel Ketchell, stated that the former governor regularly brings together leaders to discuss significant issues, typically avoiding political endorsements. Although Schwarzenegger has not endorsed Raman, his hosting of the event provided her with access to influential individuals who may not have considered her politics otherwise. During the meeting, Raman addressed concerns about Measure ULA, a tax on property sales over $5 million, and clarified that she is not anti-police, emphasizing the need for efficient city governance. Some attendees, initially skeptical, were reportedly impressed by her responses. Guests included executives from various sectors, including investment and clean technology, as well as leaders from organizations associated with Schwarzenegger. Political communications expert Dan Schnur noted that Raman’s campaign contrasts her outsider status with the insider nature of traditional politics, which may resonate with Schwarzenegger. A recent UC Berkeley poll indicated that Raman is leading incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, 39% to 28%, with 33% undecided. Bass's campaign dismissed the poll as an outlier, suggesting that voters have already formed opinions about her leadership. Schnur remarked that Bass's best chance of winning would be to convince voters that Raman would be a worse choice. The election is set for November 3, with ballots beginning to be mailed on October 5.