Traffic and pedestrians on Hollywood Boulevard at dusk.  | Shutterstock

Homelessness, housing affordability, and tech regulations are challenges facing the state and the nation When the seven qualifying Democratic presidential candidates take the stage tonight at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, the setting may play an even more important role in the debate than it has in past candidate forums.
There are many reasons California, and the urban issues facing its major cities, may get significantly more attention during this election cycle. With home state senator Sen. Kamala Harris now out of the race, competition among the remaining candidates has stiffened, suggesting a prolonged battle to win the state?s delegates. In addition, the Golden State?s primary vote has been moved up to March 3, making its large delegate pool more decisive this election. Late entrants to the race, especially former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, have skipped early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire and plan to focus on California.
Here are some of the issues that might be front and center for the Democratic contenders tonight.
Homelessness and administration policy
The homelessness crisis facing most California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, was once again a national story this week, with the Supreme Court agreeing to pass on hearing arguments in an appeal of Martin vs. Boise, a case concerned with the criminalization of the homeless. That dec...