LOS ANGELES, Calif.–In the mayor’s race, Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti welcomed an endorsement by colleague Paul Krekorian today, while City Controller Wendy Greuel said she had the backing of former Assemblyman Mike Eng.
Krekorian, whose San Fernando Valley-based council seat was once held by Greuel, said Garcetti was the best person to tackle the city’s estimated $165 million budget deficit.
“Right now, more than ever, we need a mayor who will have the courage to deal honestly with the budget challenges we face,” Krekorian said. “We need somebody who’s going to think innovatively about new ways to deliver government services.”
Over the weekend, Garcetti won the support of Emanuel Pleitez, who finished fifth in the March 5 primary with 4.1 percent of the vote. On Saturday, he said he would be “campaigning hard” for Garcetti.
Two other candidates squeezed out in the primary–Jan Perry and Kevin James–have yet to endorse a candidate.
Greuel announced today her backing by Eng, who was recently elected a trustee of Los Angeles Community College District. Eng’s wife, Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, endorsed Greuel earlier this month.
“Wendy has stood side by side with the (Asian Pacific American) community from her first job working for Mayor Tom Bradley to her work as a city councilwoman and controller,” Eng said. “She is an experienced leader who will be a mayor for all of Los Angeles, and she will fight for people from every neighborhood and ethnicity.”
Earlier this year, Greuel won the support of Planned Parenthood. She was endorsed Friday by national abortion-rights political action committee EMILY’s List, which recruits and fundraises for women politicians.
Garcetti also has women supporters, namely the California National Organization for Women, according to his campaign spokesman, Jeff Millman.
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, an umbrella organization for unions, is expected to announce its support for Greuel tomorrow.
