Politics & Government
Vice Mayor Garcia Gets L.A. Mayor's Endorsement
"That's the kind of leader I want, part of a new generation and somebody who can make sure the old wars between Long Beach and L.A. are over," Eric Garcetti said.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said today he endorsed Vice Mayor Robert Garcia in Long Beach's mayoral race because of his belief the two can work together and end the divisiveness between the cities.
"I'm proud to endorse Robert Garcia for the mayor of Long Beach," Garcetti told Video News West. "He's the vice mayor today and a dear friend, somebody who I know is a great leader."
Garcetti praised his fellow Democrat's business background as an entrepreneur.
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"That's the kind of leader I want, part of a new generation and somebody who can make sure the old wars between Long Beach and L.A. are over," Garcetti said. "We're going to act like one city, one region."
There was no immediate response to an email sent to the campaign of Garcia's Republican opponent in the June 3 nonpartisan race, businessman Damon Dunn, after the close of regular business hours.
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Dunn has been endorsed by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who praised the former NFL and XFL player as "the right choice for the next mayor Long Beach."
"He is dedicated to helping rebuild the foundation of American strength -- our economy -- by stimulating private sector growth and small business entrepreneurship in Long Beach," Rice said in her endorsement.
Long Beach and Los Angeles are intertwined by the ports and the environment, especially the Los Angeles River, Garcetti said.
"Sometimes we will agree to disagree, but I think 99 out of 100 times we realize our fate is intertwined whether it is our ports here, whether it is the L.A. River, whether it is the economy," Garcetti said. "We're going to do that together."
Garcia, who co-founded the Long Beach Post in 2007, said he was honored by Garcetti's support.
"It's important that the two cities work together really closely," Garcia said.
"We share the same air, the same roads. We both work on the largest harbor complex in the United States. So we've got to have a good relationship on environmental issues and trade issues."
--City News Service
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