Four candidates for Mayor of the City of Los Angeles grabbed mics and stepped onstage at the Taglyan Cultural Complex Wednesday. It was the first public debate in the race to elect a replacement for mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who will be forced out by term limits next year.

Issues debated included transportation, education and city planning, but above and beyond anything else their words focused on the economic status of the city and its constituents. As both Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti said, the conversation was about “jobs, jobs, jobs.”

The conversation was predominantly constructive, with candidates’ positions largely in harmony on the subjects of environmentally friendly energy policies and the dire need for fiscal improvement.

The exception to this rule was Kevin James. The radio host made his attitude clear at the beginning of the event by tossing a barb at Wendy Greuel. He went on to knock his on-stage competition with claims that as elected politicians they were responsible for the problems faced by Los Angelenos. 

“City Hall is broken,” James said, “and they’re the ones who broke it.”

More than 50 sign-toting demonstrators turned up early for the purpose of representing those running for mayor but not participating in the formal debate. Currently, 13 candidates are registered in the race for mayor, from such diverse backgrounds as real estate, the entertainment industry and homeless advocacy.

The evening wrapped up with complimentary coffee, a vast array of cheese cubes and desserts. The menu included five types of crackers and nine varieties of cheese, from smoked Gouda to goat, with dried figs, apricots and starfruit. Tiny ice cream cones stuffed with Dippin Dots were nestled next to triple berry tarts.

Watch the closing statements from all four candidates: