Democratic debate: candidates face off in Los Angeles – live updates
Candidates taking the stage at Loyola Marymount University will seek to break through as impeachment dominates the headlines
- Full story: seven candidates seek their star moment
- Analysis: why California is now a primary powerhouse
The debate is taking place in Los Angeles, a city where the escalating homeless crisis has become a public health emergency. LA experienced a 16% increase in homelessness this year, with a total of 36,000 people now homeless across the city, including 27,000 without shelter.
Related: Workers on frontlines of homeless crisis tell Trump: ‘We don’t need tough talk’
Those tuning in to watch tonight’s Democratic debate might have a question when the participants take the stage: where did all the candidates of color go?
Since the last debate in Atlanta, Senator Kamala Harris has dropped out of the race, and three other candidates of color – Senator Cory Booker, congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and former housing secretary Julián Castro – failed to qualify for the LA debate.
It’s a shame that tonight’s #DemDebate won’t reflect the diversity of our party. I’m not going to be on the stage, but our pathway to victory is still very real. If you’re with me, chip in now so we can keep spreading our message to voters:https://t.co/iks7BMEM1K
Related: Debate so white: candidates of color miss out as Democratic field narrows