LA Mayor Garcetti Goes To Wisconsin, But It's Not What You Think

LOS ANGELES, CA — It's not what you think. Yes, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is traveling to Wisconsin, that vital swing state, to give a high-profile speech on the national stage amid rumors that he will challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

But don't read too much into it, say his aides. The mayor's continued denial of presidential ambitions last week prompted Politico to publish an article titled, "Eric Garcetti isn’t running for president (wink, wink)."

And today he leaves for his third high-profile political speech in as many weeks, this time to address Wisconsin's Democratic Party convention amid growing speculation he is eyeing higher office.

Garcetti, who was recently reelected in a landslide and will be sworn in for a second term as mayor July 1, delivered the keynote opening address at the Center for American Progress' Ideas Conference in Washington, D.C., on May 16, and on May 20 he spoke at the California Democratic Party Convention in Sacramento.

Garcetti has been rumored for some time to be considering a run for governor in 2018 or for the Senate if Dianne Feinstein retires.

His name has also been raised in a story by the New York Times as a potential presidential candidate in 2020.

When asked about the New York Times story, his spokesman, Yusef Robb, told City News Service, "We really can't comment on speculation on tea leaves that other people are reading. Mayor Garcetti is squarely focused on being chief executive of the greatest city in America."

And Asked directly by Politico about the idea, Garcetti responded, "I'm not focused on running for president."

Bill Carrick, a political consultant for Garcetti, told Politico, "He's raised money around the country, and he's got friends who've been in elected office or are currently in elected office. It's not like they're saying, 'If you run, I'll support you.' But they're saying, 'You should think about it."'

About the Wisconsin trip, Robb said Garcetti "will also meet with elected officials, Democrats and business leaders to exchange ideas on making life better and more prosperous for Angelenos and Americans today and in the future."

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the City of Los Angeles