Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted an off-the-record meeting at his Los Angeles office where mayoral candidate Nithya Raman met with Hollywood, business and nonprofit leaders, according to TMZ. The session allowed Raman to answer direct questions about her plans for the city, and some initially skeptical attendees reportedly came away impressed. Schwarzenegger’s office said he has not endorsed Raman; she advanced to a Nov. 3 runoff against Karen Bass after finishing second in the June 2 primary.
Schwarzenegger Hosts Nithya Raman at L.A. Office Ahead of Mayoral Runoff
Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP via Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger opened his Los Angeles office to mayoral candidate Nithya Raman for an off-the-record meeting that brought together leaders from Hollywood, the business community and the nonprofit sector, according to reports. The session allowed attendees to ask Raman directly about her plans and priorities for the city.
Sources said the gathering included representatives from United Talent Agency, an executive from Main Street Advisors, the CEO of the L.A. Cleantech Incubator, the director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, builders and other clean‑tech executives, along with nonprofit leaders with ties to Schwarzenegger.
The event attracted attention because Schwarzenegger and Raman come from different political traditions: Schwarzenegger is a Republican and former California governor, while Raman is identified as a democratic socialist. Despite the political divide, the meeting provided Raman with a high-profile opportunity to engage face-to-face with influential Los Angeles stakeholders.
According to attendees, some guests arrived with reservations but were reportedly impressed after hearing Raman outline the challenges facing the city and her approach to addressing them. The gathering was described as candid, with Raman fielding direct and sometimes tough questions about policy and implementation.
"Arnold's always interested in bringing together business, Hollywood, and policy leaders to discuss solutions to our biggest problems," said Daniel Ketchell, Schwarzenegger's chief of staff.
Ketchell emphasized that the meeting reflected Schwarzenegger’s longstanding interest in convening diverse leaders and stressed that Schwarzenegger has not endorsed Raman. He said the candidate was given the freedom to address whatever attendees raised during the off-the-record session.
Politically, Raman has moved into the next phase of the race: after finishing second in the June 2 primary and overtaking Spencer Pratt in the vote count, she advanced to the November 3 runoff, where she will face incumbent Karen Bass.
The meeting underscores how prominent local figures can create cross‑partisan opportunities for candidates to connect with potential supporters and stakeholders ahead of a competitive election.
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