Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti said Thursday he will be a candidate to replace outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the 2013 election, promising to provide "leadership that brings people together."
Garcetti, 40, is the third elected official at City Hall to take the plunge, following in the steps of City Controller Wendy Greuel and Councilwoman Jan Perry. Fluent in Spanish, he is also the highest-profile Latino in the race, since his father -- former Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti -- is of Mexican descent.
Unlike some of his rivals, Garcetti said there was nothing exploratory about his decision to form a mayoral campaign committee. "I'm running for mayor to get L.A. and our economy back on track. I'll bring focused leadership based on experience, practical know-how, and a willingness to embrace innovation," he said in a statement.
Because of term limits, Villaraigosa must leave office in June 2013.
Also in the running are former Villaraigosa "jobs czar" Austin Beutner, who opened an exploratory committee last spring, and radio host Kevin James. Political experts believe County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who spent nearly two decades on the City Council, will be the next one to jump into the contest.
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