VAN NUYS, Calif. — Mayoral hopeful Eric Garcetti picked up the endorsement of another former candidate today, with Republican attorney Kevin James backing the councilman’s campaign.
James’ endorsement, announced at a Van Nuys news conference, gives Garcetti the backing of the other three most visible former mayoral candidates.
James finished third in the March 5 primary election, followed by Councilwoman Jan Perry and former tech executive Emanuel Pleitez, both of whom have thrown their support behind Garcetti.
James said he opted to back Garcetti because he believed the councilman would be a more “independent” mayor than City Controller Wendy Greuel, who is heavily backed by labor unions.
Greuel and Garcetti will square off in a May 21 runoff election.
James earned attention during the primary election campaign for his stance as a City Hall outsider, and his accusations that Garcetti, Greuel and Perry were all involved in leading the city to the financial problems it is facing.
