LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday evening, the top candidates for mayor and sheriff faced off in back-to-back debates.

Current sheriff, Alex Villanueva debated former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.

Businessman Rick Caruso debated Representative Karen Bass. The conversation between both candidates covered homelessness and crime.

Villanueva defended his tenure, while Luna called for change and collaboration. Caruso spoke about his experience in construction as an asset in the homelessness crisis. Representative Bass called Caruso’s past political affiliations into question.