Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black has withdrawn his endorsement for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman, citing concerns about her reliability. Black, who previously supported Raman, has now endorsed incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
In an Instagram video, Black stated that Raman failed to appear at a campaign fundraiser she personally asked him and his husband, Olympian Tom Daley, to host on October 16. Black called Raman a candidate who "can’t be counted on to show up."
"One of the candidates showed up as she promised, and the other did not. And so I’m going to be voting for Karen Bass for mayor of Los Angeles," Black said in the video. He explained that the upcoming years are critical for Los Angeles, particularly with the city preparing to host the 2028 Olympic Games.
Black, known for his work on "Milk" and "When We Rise," emphasized the importance of a candidate understanding the city and being present. "If you’re going to put on a world-class games, you have to have the relationships with the people to pull it off, you got to understand the city, and you got to show up," he said.
Responding to a comment on his video, Black alleged that Raman's staff provided false reasons for her absence and that she did not provide advance notice of her non-attendance. He further stated that discussions with former Raman supporters indicated that this "no-show" was characteristic of her approach.
"I too had been a supporter, but it turns out she is not a dependable politician," Black commented. "Unfortunately. Not the kind of change that is going to help this city we both love."