(Bloomberg)—Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer, said he would disclose his tax records if his opponents agree to do the same.
Caruso made the pledge at the prodding of City Attorney Mike Feuer during a mayoral debate at the University of Southern California on Tuesday evening.
“When all candidates release what they pay in taxes, I will too,” said Caruso.
He was also on stage with rival Congresswoman Karen Bass, who early polling shows is the frontrunner, along with city council members Kevin de Leon and Joe Buscaino. A total of 12 candidates have qualified to run for the four-year position.
“Caruso surprised a lot of people (including his own advisers) when he committed to releasing his tax returns,” Buscaino’s campaign said in a statement.
The mayoral debate touched on questions about how to address rising crime and homelessness -- issues of widespread concern for voters in the second-largest U.S. city.
More than 40% of Angelenos view crime as a major worry, according to a recent poll. The city saw homicides rise by 12% to 397 last year -- the highest level in 15 years. In 2020, the last time Los Angeles County conducted a count of the homeless, 66,436 people were found to be living on the streets, a 13% increase from a year earlier.
The primary is June 7, and the general election is Nov. 8. The LA mayor’s office is nonpartisan. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, who has been in office since 2013, cannot run again due to term limits. He was named in July as Biden’s pick for ambassador to India, but has yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the position.
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