Good morning, it’s Tuesday, Oct. 6, and you can expect another day of scorching misery.
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Nithya Raman’s campaign quietly deleted at least three photos from its Flickr page that prominently featured Rick Jacobs, a singularly controversial — and powerful — figure in L.A. politics. A former senior advisor to Mayor Eric Garcetti, Jacobs was accused of sexual harassment in 2020 and the scandal clouded the final years of the Garcetti administration. (Jacobs has denied the allegations.)
That Jacobs wound up in local political photos was hardly a surprise. As a consultant for the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, he’s a gatekeeper to one of the most powerful labor groups in the region. The photos were from Raman’s August visit to the union’s Sylmar training center after the group endorsed her. It appears they were posted shortly after the event but taken down recently.
It’s yet another example of the awkward dance between Jacobs and L.A. politicians, some of whom have been squeamish about pictures with him, even as they hope to benefit from the Carpenters’ support. (Jacobs and a spokesperson for the Raman campaign did not respond to requests for comment.)
Raman is hardly the first politician to do this two-step: In 2022, Jacobs attended Karen Bass’ exclusive post-inauguration party at Getty House in an appearance that sparked controversy. Still, Raman’s relationship with Jacobs may be slightly more awkward given a lengthy 2020 Twitter thread in which she called the allegations against him “deeply upsetting.”
Also:
Actress and activist Jane Fonda headlined a Sunday reception for Bass at the Brentwood home of environmental activist Sara Nichols. Fonda had previously supported Raman as a council member, and even swore her into office for her second term. But she announced her support for Bass in May and, according to one attendee, did not mention Raman’s name at the event. On the menu were egg sandwiches and cupcakes.
In a new spoof of “Mean Girls” from the Raman campaign, a Regina George-style bully tells another girl that she has to wear pink to be popular — prompting a wonky retort about LAPD spending. “I have no problem saying ‘no’ to systems that don’t serve the people — like Nithya Raman!” she brags. The Raman ad is part of a new series of microdrama-style posts based on movies and TV shows, which also includes a play on “The Pitt,” in which two nurses abandon the victim of a brutal canine mauling to vote for Raman.
On today’s schedule for Bass: a visit to the Korean Adult Care Center in K-Town, then a Beverly Hills reception featuring Former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
And for Raman: Several media interviews, but no other campaign events because of the City Council meeting.
Elsewhere on the ballot… an outside group supporting Council District 3 candidate Tim Gaspar is putting more than $300,000 behind a new digital ad touting Gaspar as a small business owner who can “clean up City Hall.” The primary funder is the Central City Association’s PAC, with funding from Airbnb. (Gaspar is vying against Barri Worth Girvan for the San Fernando Valley seat Councilmember Bob Blumenfield is vacating.)
Plus, you may notice that a judge on your ballot has the same canonical real name as Principal Skinner of The Simpsons. It’s not a coincidence: Principal Skinner was named after the judge.
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– Tomo Chien
READING MATERIAL
IS THIS REAL LIFE? In a bizarre campaign rally speech, President Trump suggested that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego, California’s two most populous cities. The remark was met with applause from the Nebraska crowd, though Gov. Gavin Newsom called the president “deranged and dangerous.”
FOREVERWHON: LACMA announced that its Erewhon popup will become a permanent fixture of the museum. Of course, to commemorate the partnership, there’s a new $300 “Erewhon at LACMA” tote and a hoodie that’ll run you $250. Alternatively, you could drop $20 on the LACMA-inspired smoothie.
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