Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge announced Thursday that he is endorsing Garcetti. The announcement was made in Silver Lake at a new park LaBonge says he worked closely with Garcetti to build.
"I love Wendy Greuel, and I have a history with Wendy, but I love Eric in this position that he's going to lead us in the next four years," he said.
LaBonge said he's backing Garcetti because he's proven he can revitalize local neighborhoods.
Greuel got a nod Thursday in Beverly Hills from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. In what can only be described as a powerhouse gathering of female leaders, including senator Barbara Boxer and representatives Janice Hahn and Judy Chu, the group's message was crystal clear: It's time for a woman to lead Los Angeles.
"When there is an opportunity to elect a very capable, talented, extraordinary leader, who just happens to be a woman, as the mayor of Los Angeles, well we could not remain silent," said Pelosi.
Boxer agreed, calling Greuel "the most qualified candidate in the race." But Garcetti feels that gender should not be the single deciding factor for voters.
"Being a woman, being a Jew, being Latino, whatever it is, just gets you in the door. At the end of the day, people want a mayor who will lead, who has proven results," he said.
Greuel, meantime, hit on some of the cornerstone issues of her campaign.
"Right now, it is about issues and the importance of talking about issues that matter to the residents of L.A., and that's about jobs and education and getting our fiscal house in order," Greuel said.
