Politics & Government
LA City Councilman David Ryu Mulls Congressional Bid for Becerra's Seat
David Ryu is the only LA councilman to publicly consider a run for the seat to be vacated by Xavier Becerra's attorney general appointment.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu is exploring the option of running for the congressional seat expected to be vacated by Rep. Xavier Becerra's appointment as state attorney general, a spokesman for the councilman said Wednesday, while Councilman Gil Cedillo announced that he is not interested in running.
Estevan Montemayor, director of communications for Ryu, told City News Service the councilman had no public comment at this time but that he is exploring the option of running for the 34th Congressional District seat.
Ryu has represented Council District Four since June 2015 and became the first Korean-American member of the Los Angeles City Council when he took his seat. His district includes Koreatown, Hollywood, MacArthur Park, Sherman Oaks and Toluca Lake.
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Councilman Jose Huizar took himself out of the running on Monday, and Cedillo said late Tuesday that he is staying put at City Hall.
"I have been humbled and honored by the number of calls and messages I received asking me to run for the 34th Congressional District. After carefully considering the opportunity, I have decided that I will not run for this seat," Cedillo said. "At this point in our country's history, the best place for me to be is right here in Los Angeles, continuing to fight every day to improve the lives of Angelenos, especially those who live in the First Council District. As a Los Angeles City Councilmember, I am uniquely positioned to fight for the rights of our immigrant communities, which have once again come under attack."
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Former Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, and journalist and activist Wendy Carrillo have all declared their intent to run for Becerra's seat.
Brown appointed Becerra last week to succeed Kamala Harris, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last month. If confirmed by the state Senate and Assembly -- as expected -- Becerra will serve the final two years of Harris' term and become California's first Hispanic attorney general. A special election would be held to fill Becerra's seat.
City News Service; Photo courtesy of the City of Los Angeles