Live KCET Forum Books Eight Mayoral Candidates

KCET-TV Channel 28 will air a live, 2 1/2-hour forum featuring the major Los Angeles mayoral candidates April 2, the first of several such events planned by broadcast television stations before the April 20 primary.

KCBS-TV Channel 2 has invited all 24 candidates on the ballot to offer statements in a live “Newsmakers” special scheduled for April 10. KNBC-TV Channel 4 plans to invite the major candidates for a simultaneous discussion on its “Channel 4 News Conference” program, but no date has been set yet.

Various cable systems broadcast a Tarzana mayoral forum earlier this month and will show one from the Westside in April.

The KCET program will air from 7:30-10 p.m. and will be simulcast by KCRW-FM (89.9). At least eight candidates have agreed to take part: former Deputy Mayor Linda Griego; City Council members Nate Holden, Joel Wachs and Michael Woo; Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Tarzana); businessman Nick Patsaouras and attorneys Richard Riordan and Stan Sanders.

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The participation of the eight came because they all met criteria established by the League of Women Voters, which included a spot on the ballot and at least one of the following: evidence of a city-wide campaign; financial support to qualify for matching funds ($150,000 in contributions of $500 or less), or at least 5% support in a poll.

A KCET spokesman said City Councilman Ernani Bernardi, former Deputy Mayor Tom Houston and Julian Nava, the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, may be added to the eight confirmed participants.