Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom — who just indicated he’ll be a gubernatorial candidate — received a “Go Gavin” and other kind words but no endorsement Thursday from Mayor Eric Garcetti, a possible Newsom opponent in the 2018 election.
“Gavin’s a great guy,” Garcetti told City News Service. “I think Gavin is a great public servant.”
Despite being cited in news stories and by political insiders as a possible gubernatorial candidate, Garcetti wouldn’t say whether he might also be considering a run for the state’s top political office.
“I don’t live life far into the future,” he told CNS following a panel discussion on immigration at the Central Library. “I’m focused on work here in Los Angeles.”
When plied again about a possible interest in challenging Newsom, Garcetti responded, “That’s all I have to say on it. Go Gavin!”
Newsom announced Wednesday that he has created a committee to run for governor in 2018, saying the early announcement was necessary to raise funds “in America’s largest, most diverse state.”
He said such an undertaking “demands that I start raising resources now if we’re going to lead a conversation worthy of the 38 million people who live, work, attend school and raise families in the Golden State.”
Newsom briefly ran for governor in 2009, then switched to the lieutenant governor’s race.
Gov. Jerry Brown is barred from seeking re-election due to term limits.
Garcetti’s current mayoral term ends in 2017. He could run for reelection.
Garcetti’s name had also surfaced as a possible candidate when Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., announced last month that she would not be seeing re- election in 2016, but the mayor quickly shot down the rumors, saying he loves being mayor and is “committed to the work here.”
— City News Service