LOS ANGELES, Calif.–Former Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith today endorsed Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry for mayor in 2013.
Smith, who left office in July and was replaced by Councilman Mitchell Englander in the 12th District, said Perry was well suited for the job.
“I am endorsing Jan for mayor because she is tough enough to make Los Angeles work again,” he said. “She has a solid record of fighting to reform the Department of Water and Power, for fiscal sanity at City Hall, and for always putting residents first.”
The race is more than 1 1/2 years away, but the field of candidates already includes three city officials–Perry, City Controller Wendy Greuel and Council President Eric Garcetti–and one recent deputy mayor, Austin Beutner.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and mall developer Rick Caruso have both said they are considering running for mayor, but have not made a decision yet.
Endorsements have been few and far between this early in the race.
Beutner received the endorsement of former Mayor Richard Riordan just after announcing his campaign in April.
Perry said she was thankful for Smith’s endorsement, which “sends an important message that my track record resonates with community leaders from across the great city of Los Angeles.”
